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rom the beginning itself the LDF Government has made it clear that the State cannot go ahead without increasing the production in agricultural and industrial sectors. The most essential elements for the sustainable development ofF the State are the revitalisation of sick industries, starting new industries, solving agricultural crisis and increasing production. Rejuvenated, and now Progressing

ith a bright record of unprecedented of globalisation to open up market to the foreign success in the spheres of development monopoly by destroying our agriculture sector. and welfare, the Left Democratic This situation puts Kerala in trouble, as it is W absolutely a consumer state. We have to depend Front Government enters into the third year. The element, which makes the government unique, on other states for everything including rice. Nor is its alternate policies to render optimum solace we utilise our possibilities in agricultural to the laymen while they face the phenomenon production. of food deficiency and acute price hike all over The Government are giving utmost emphasis due to globalisation. on resolving this crisis. Encouraging paddy From the beginning itself the LDF cultivation by conserving at least the remaining Government has made it clear that the State paddy fields is our aim. Approval of the bill V.S. Achuthanandan cannot go ahead without increasing the preventing reclamation of paddy fields and Chief Minister production in agricultural and industrial sectors. wetlands is as part of it. A comprehensive The most essential elements for the sustainable programme is in the pipeline to enhance development of the State are the revitalisation of production of food grains and other food materials. sick industries, starting new industries, solving When the Left Democratic Government came agricultural crisis and increasing production. It is into power, the procurement of paddy was a matter of pride that we could start in the aforesaid nominal. And the rate was only Rs.7 per kg. The matters. LDF government enhanced the rate up to Rs.10 The threat on food security is the matter of by this year and thus the procurement has been concern globally. The United Nations itself is vitalised. As a result, a 30 per cent increase in coming to the forefront to warn against the production at and could be ensuing food war. India too, is heading towards achieved. But, the damage unleashed by the an acute food crisis. The rocketing price, leasing summer rain on paddy cultivation this March is out of warehouses to monopoly, ceasing inexplicable. The government could render a procurement of food grains and the destruction compensation of Rs. ten thousand per hectare to of public distribution system are the main reasons aggrieved farmers. Even though the Centre turned behind this. It is the outcome of the conspiracy a blind eye, the State government could console

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the farmers by dispersing due Centre is not willing to grand the amount. Supplyco and Consumerfed. Rice shops compensation on war-foot. However, we are pressurising for the same. have been started with moderate rate. The It is worth mentioning that the various Another special package is approved State Government grants subsidy without steps taken by the government from its for the plantation sector in . any reservation in order to intervene the very inception could almost wipe out the During the previous regime suicides were market. suicide tendency of farmers. Three districts the phenomenon in plantation sector too. The Central Government is of Kerala out of the 36 in the country Many plantations were locked off. Workers persecuting the State by cutting down 82 included in Central Government’s list were destined to starvation. The per cent of the APL rice share of Kerala. where severe farmer suicides were reported, government could change that situation The State Government are staging strong have now been exempted from the list. and reopen the plantations. pressure against this and are taking all The remaining 33 districts still witness Now the Government is striving to measures possible to avoid scarcity of rice. farmer suicide that illustrates the difference hold on the price hike by strengthening Phenomenal task has been going on between and the public distribution system through to recover government land from rest in India. encroachers. In alone, it recovered In order to solve the burning crisis in twelve thousand acres of land. Demolished agricultural sector, Vidarbha model about hundred unauthorised huge packages could be obtained from the buildings and resorts. In the State as a Centre for three districts by providing In order to solve the whole, more than 15,000 acres of land accurate statistics and eserting pressure burning crisis in has been recovered. , unlike the previous government, which agricultural sector The legendary event of evacuation of was suppressing the facts on suicide due Vidarbha model encroachments is an unprecedented one to egoism. The Rural Employment packages could be in the . The recovered and Assurance Scheme has been implemented obtained from the other surplus land will be distributed to effectively. Thus a revitalisation in the landless. Each family should have land, agriculture sector has been materialised. Centre for three home, electricity and drinking water- is Ours is a land of 7.5 million farmers and districts by providing the policy of the Government. EMS Total 2.5 million agricultural labourers. accurate statistics and Housing Scheme has been started for all A special package worth Rs.1840 crore exerting pressure unlike homeless in the State. Within the next has got approved for district the previous three years, Kerala will become a total to drive out the crisis and paralysis. Long- government, which was housing State. One-acre land for each term scientific projects have been prepared suppressing the facts on 1717 families has been distributed for conserving Kuttanad, our granary, in Aralam farm. Medical Treatment for farmers’ suicide due to Onattukara paddy lands, and for reviving egoism. tribals becomes free of cost. other crops in and to The Right Front ridiculed the Left rejuvenate the fisheries sector. But the Front as anti-developmental during the

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election time. There existed a circumstance to call us as anti-developmental. The hot protest and agitations against unscrupulous exploitation of land, water and nature were viewed as anti- All welfare pensions developmental. Allegations raised against have been hiked upto the Smart City project were also important among them. The opposition demanded Rs.200 at a stretch ¦ Smart City in becomes a reality; that the Government might go ahead only and the arrears are 90000 job opportunities without handing over the Infopark, disbursed. Hundreds ¦ Development of Kochi Infopark; 40,000 ensuring fair price for the land and of thousands of new job opportunities rejecting the condition that there should labourers have been ¦ Kerala State-Wide Area Network becomes not be any other IT park in . brought under a reality Those statements holding the vast interest Welfare Funds ¦ 3000 Akshaya centres throughout the of the State, were portrayed as anti- State to deliver service to common people including about two developmental. Then the Smart City lakh small scale ¦ Preliminary procedures for Kochi Metro became the central slogan of the assembly Rail Project election. plantation workers. ¦ Railway coach factory at Palakkad Now, the Smart City is going to be a ¦ Commissioning of – Kottappuram reality. Relentless attempt to materialise the National Water Way; actions are taken to extend the waterways upto project protecting the noble intentions of Neeleswaram from the State has been undertaken. Thus great ¦ Succeeded in bringing in the educational modifications in favour of the State could Commission has also come into being. institutions like Indian Institute of Space be made in the stands of TECOM. A Science, Central University, Indian quantum jump in the field of IT sector All welfare pensions have been hiked Institute of Science Education Research, could be achieved within the past one and upto Rs.200 at a stretch and the arrears National School of Mathematics a half year. For establishing Techno City, are disbursed. Hundreds of thousands of ¦ Welfare scheme for NRKs 507 acres of land is acquiring in labourers have been brought under ¦ Sutharyakeralam programme for the . Technopark sees a Welfare Funds including about two lakh speedy redressal of public complaints development where another 100 acres of small scale plantation workers. land is being acquired. Steps have been The Shops and Establishments taken to establish IT parks at various Labourer Welfare Fund Law gives solace districts. Many IT companies have already to one million families in the unorganised started new ventures in Technopark and sector. This law ensures job security, Infopark. The target is the creation of two pension, family pension, leave, delivery lakh job opportunities in the IT sector. leave et. al. Likewise a law which fixes However, the present position reveals that pension and welfare fund for tens of The Government is the employment opportunities will be thousands of dairy farmers has also been aware that small many fold. 40,000 more job opportunities implemented. A new law is introduced to will be generated within next three years save the Devaswom Board, which was a scale industries are at Infopark, the very institution that was corrupted one to a great extent. Devaswom providing largestThe decided to handover free of cost by the Board appointments are handed over to number of jobs. previous government. Projects are being PSC. Government has implemented to make the State totally UDF governance was the taken a number of computer literate. The plan, Akshaya personification of law and order breaking initiatives to Kendras in every village is advancing. and goondaism. By making police Implementation of projects to the tune impartial and implementing innovative promote small scale sector. of Rs.1441 crore has been started as part reformations, a giant leap could be of the Tsunami Rehabilitation. It is achieved in maintaining law and order. By expected that the projects will ensure rooting out goondaism, crimes could be overall development of the costal region brought down to a great extent. and the implementation is on war footing The beginning for new international to complete the scheme by March next terminal and aircraft maintenance unit at year. Similar to Farmers’ Debt Relief Thiruvananthapuram Airport, the Commission, Fishermen’s Debt Relief modernisation project of

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Thiruvananthapuram and and could obtain Kochu Veli railway stations, the environmental sanction. Thus the permission to establish railway first international transshipment coach building unit in the Auto container terminal is going to be a kast unit at are all reality. The earlier agreement for obtained from the Centre the construction of Vizhinjam through persistent efforts. The International Transshipment clearances needed for the Container Terminal was made airport have also been with a Chinese company. Raising obtained from the Centre. The security reasons, the Central 2500 acres of land needed for Defence Ministry did not give the airport is being acquired permission to it. But the State through fast track system. Government is marching ahead ISRO’s Institute of Space with stern determination to launch Science and Technology, the the project. The LDF third important space institute Government could manage in the world, has started preliminary activities with great functioning in enthusiasm so that the Thiruvananthapuram. The construction work for the project land needed for the space can be started within months. institute has been allotted free Preliminary works have of cost. National Fashion already started for metro rail in Technology Institute has started Kochi. Primary steps for suburban at Kannur. train services in Owing to the relentless Thiruvananthapuram, attempts by LDF Government, Ernakulam and have Indian Institute of Science been taken. The waterway Education and Research has development project between the been allotted to Kerala. Similarly, tail ends of Kerala has been Central Government have V. S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, inaugurating the wind triggered off. Kollam – agreed to grant a Central mill project at Ramakkalmedu in Idukki district. Kottappuram waterway, a part of University, our long cherished the National Waterway – 3 has demand. Terminal Project are vital for been commissioned and the work for Vallarpadam Transshipment comprehensive development of the State. Kottappuram-Neeleswaram waterway is Container Terminal Project and Vizhinjam The State Government have cleared out going on. Works for Kollam- Kovalam International Transshipment Container the crisis for the rail connectivity to water way project has also launched. The LNG terminal at Kochi, which was in seesaw, has been got out from all obstacles owing to the relentless effort of the state Government. The State Government could reciprocate strongly against the negligence of the Centre and could fetch a large number of projects, which were entitled to us. Progress made in bringing issues of Kerala to the notice of the Centre better than earlier. Strong protest has been registered against the formation of Salem Railway Division by dividing Palakkad Division. Thus the Railway Ministry was forced to enlarge the boundary of the Palakkad division from their earlier decision. Always with the People: The Chief Minister attends the Sutharyakeralam Programme This protest opens up a way for getting along with his Secretary, Sheela Thomas, to redress the grievance of the common man. Cont’d on Page. 81

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From page 11 destructed public health system. The The interest of the State could be reason behind the attacks of chickun gunea upheld in inter state river water dispute Rejuvenated, and infectious disease was this. The with strong interference. The move of and Now Progressing Government have taken immediate steps is to increase the water lever to appoint doctors and para medical staff. of Mullapperiyar Dam from 136 feet to a coach factory. Since the railway reached By introducing Clean Kerala project, 142 feet and then to 152 feet. In the first Kerala one and half century ago, no continuous action has been launched phase, the Supreme Court verdict was important employment generating against pollution. A new public health favourable to them. But, when the apex institution has been launched here. A policy is being implemented for saving court was apprised of the fact that the lives coach factory assigned for Kerala a quarter government hospitals from penury. A of millions of people in five districts were century back had been shifted to scheme has been adopted for upgrading in danger, the Court itself had opined that Kapurthala in Punjab in the eleventh community health centres to national the states might solve the issue through hour. Now, when we extended great standard. A hospital with state of the art discussions. At first Tamil Nadu refused pressure in the case of Salem Division issue, facilities has been started at Sabarimala. to participate in the discussion. But, later Central Government have agreed to set they conceded. The well thought out up a coach factory in Kerala to pacify us. It stand of Kerala that building a new dam is has already been decided that a modern Rejuvenation and the only solution, has been getting more railway coach factory to be set up with an enthusiasm regained in acceptance. The relentless involvement in . The the Mullapperiyar issue after LDF investment of around four thousand crore industries sector rupees at Kanchikkode in Palakkad. For Government came in power, is about to government could bring fruits. the past fifty years, no such huge Central reopen almost all the investment has come in Kerala in the Companies like TATA and Harrison public sector. State Government have closed industries. Lock are exploiting the State’s wealth initiated primary steps for acquiring land out was common in by holding tens of thousands of acres of needed for the coach factory. the past when an land for a nominal tenant tax. There exists Rejuvenation and enthusiasm industry exhausted an allegation that they even try to sell out the land crookedly. Besides, such a few regained in Industries sector. The with loss. companies have encroached thousands of government could reopen almost all the acres of State owned land. For the last few closed industries. Lock out was common Many projects have come into months, stern action is being taken to in the past when an industry exhausted existence for the welfare of expatriate recover that. The Thoothampara Estate with loss. Now the number of profiteering Keralites. Procedures started to give kept by Poabson Group has been taken public sector industry is raised to twenty identity cards for non resident Keralites over and now run by Plantation four from the mere twelve. Many new who comprise around 2.5 million. The Corporation. The measuring process of the industries have been started. Titanium share of the Government in NoRKA – land possessed by TATA and others is on Sponge Factory has been launched in Roots Company has been raised from 26 with modern technology. Stern action has KMLL. Construction of Integrated Textile per cent to 51 per cent. Santhwanam been taken for recovering Kovalam Palace Park began at Palakkad. In project for the expatriates has been and to prevent encroachments in Kovalam Thiruvananthapuram, KELTEC has been liberalised. A Bill envisaging vast welfare in disguise of tourism. handed over to Defence Department for scheme for expatriate has been In the Moonnar region, Kurinji BrahMos missile unit. approved. Garden and Silent Valley Buffer Zone New projects came in tourism sector. Initial steps have been taken to projects have been launched. Kerala becomes one of the most important establish World Malayalam Mission for Comprehensive projects are coined for tourism destinations of the world. coordinating Malayalam teaching among preventing the decay and pollution of rivers Endeavour for generating additional 500 the children of expatriate Malayalis. Chief and water bodies including mega watt power within three years Minister’s Relief Fund has been expanded lake and Bharathappuzha River. started. Special attention has been given and implemented speedy and liberal The corruption free and prosperous to utilise non-conventional energy sources assistance. Thousands of hapless and sick Kerala that is rushing towards a and wind energy project is commissioned people got solace from that. Consolation comprehensive development -the LDF at Idukki. money for the families of the farmers who governance of 24 months could make a Appointment ban has been revoked committed suicide, endosulfan victims giant leap in the journey towards this. The and steps have been taken to fill all and those who died of chickkun guinea background is set for a comprehensive vacancies. There were thousands of has been given immediately. It could be development. The Government could vacancies left unfilled in Health implemented effectively with utmost dispel disappointment from all walks of Department alone during the regime of generosity by collecting money through a life and could rejuvenate the State and now the previous government. Thus they special lottery. onwards it is the time of progress.

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or the first time in the country, socially and economically backward students were given a scholarship of Rs 5000 per annum. This programme covering all the schools in F the State benefited around 10,000 students. Years Of Excellence

he last year was one of excellence for the centre for excellences to provide quality education. educational field. The left democratic The academic year 2007-08 was proclaimed Tgovernment aims to use the educational as the efficiency year keeping in mind the all-round sector as a tool to push forward the State and to actions in the schooling system. As part of this uplift the sidelined masses and to empower them. programme, training programme for teachers The activites are undertaken with the conception during vacation, meeting of all the teachers at the that it is the right of the students to get quality beginning of the academic year, school education. Government takes a scientific and an management training for DDE, DEO, AEO, overall approach to the issue by paying heed to headmasters and diet principals, implementation the opinion of experts. Also the government was of monitoring systems and 100/100 programme able to set up a co-coordinated working culture under the S.S.A were implemented. upholding the democratic procedures. The 104 schools that were at the lowest level M.A. Baby Initiatives like quality enhancement in the 2006 S.S.L.C exams were identified and Minister for Education programme implemented in 104 schools and various programmes were implemented to increase and Culture scholarships for about 10000 economically their standards after studying their problems backward higher secondary students have that deeply. These schools fared brightly in the 2007 the Government is always with the poor and the exams and the works are still in progress. This plan oppressed. The last year was considered as the provided a good atmosphere for studies and created enhancement year keeping in regard the aim that self-confidence in the students that were backward quality education should be given to those opting socially and economically. A special quality for the public schools. programme for the backward schools in higher This government aims at providing equal secondary and vocational higher secondary schools opportunity and social justice in spite of the are also in progress. inadequacies in the field of higher education. Seats were increased in higher secondary and Efforts are being undertaken to start national level vocational higher secondary schools of the Malabar institutions in our state. They also aim at region. This was done by increasing the number converting all higher education institutions into of schools and by allotting more batches in the

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Award winning students at the 20th Science Congress with M.A Baby, Minister for Education. existing schools. This gave a new breath of examination simultaneously using free being held under the IT@ school project. life to the higher secondary section. About software. It was during this year that free Computerisations of processes like service 26,136 students benefited from this software was made compulsory for studies salary details, noon meal distribution for project. and examinations. The IT@School project students, appointments, transfers, online For the first time in the country, has been undertaken to provide distribution of study materials etc were socially and economically backward broadband internet facilities to all high carried out this year. Also this year the students in higher secondary and schools. The trial run of IT based studies Central government granted the state a vocational higher secondary schools were proved to be a roaring success in the project of 56.8 crores to 1016 Government given a scholarship of Rs 5000 per annum. implemented schools in 38 educational High Schools for a period of five years. This programme covering all the schools districts and thus efforts are being made This Government also tries to bring in the State benefited around 10,000 to extend it to others as well. Also, the together Central plans like the SSA and students. channel ViCTERS, set up solely for the plans formulated by the local self The single window system for plus one educational purposes, was made available government institutions. Also a admissions was put up at through local cable networks. programme is in the offing for improving Thiruvananthapuram in an experimental Various e-governance programmes are the standard of teaching for English, Hindi basis to relieve the problems faced by the and mathematics in selected local self school authorities, parents and the government institutions on experimental students. This attempt was proven The single window basis. The Government also wishes to take in the experiences from the 100/100 plan successful and actions are being taken to programme for plus one extend the programme to all districts. of SSA and to modernize the syllabus and admissions was put up at The central government provided the the textbooks. states a syllabus framework 2005 for Thiruvananthapuram in The Government is serious in its views modernizing the school syllabus. Our state an experimental basis to on the negligence shown towards our developed a draft plan for the Kerala relieve the problems mother tongue. We don’t have our mother syllabus framework 2007 and kept it for faced by the school tongue compulsory in many schools when discussion by the people. Thus Kerala also authorities, parents and all countries are upholding education in got the credit for being the first state to the students. This their own tongue in primary education. develop a syllabus framework by the attempt was proven Many recognised English schools were teaching special English in the place of people. Now works are in progress to collect successful and actions are the opinion of various sections of people Malayalam. The Government put an end to complete the project. being taken to extend the to this practice by making Malayalam programme to all compulsary till the 4th standard. It is a new world record in this year’s districts. SSLC examination that around five lakh Grading system has been students attended the IT practical implemented in the plus two scheme from

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2007 as a continuation of the introduction of grading system for SSLC. This is in a format that includes the marks of internal For the first time in assessment as well. 20 per cent weightage Keralas’ educational is given to the internal marks of the subjects history a three day work like science, mathematics and social science. shop was held for the Also a guide named ‘edumate’ was whole set of teachers They published for all the texts of plus two from std 1 to 12. courses. ¦ More higher secondary schools and got together at the In the recent times a lot of discussions vocational higher secondary schools grama panchayat level in Malabar sector took place about the institutions and their st of June and powers, which were handed over to the on the 1 ¦ Special scholarship of Rs.5000 each local selfgovernment institutions, as a result created a plan for theear. for 10,000 bright students who of the 73rd and 74th constitutional starting academic y come from financially backward amendments. A handbook will be families published soonto clear the misunder ¦ Single window system for the standings prevailed about these examinations in disciplined manner. Even admission of higher secondary institutions. in short time the government was able to courses A lot of changes have occurred since hold the exams well. Child census held by SSA aims at the ¦ Grading for Plus Two sector also the Kerala Education Act and Rule (KEAR) was formulated in 1958. The total data collection on hildren upto the ¦ Broadband internet connection in addition of plus two to the school age of 18. The process is in the final stages all high schools curriculum and the transfer of of publishing the draft report based on ¦ For the first time in the country, responsibilities to the district/village the preliminary data collected in May free software for IT practical panchayats are a few of them. This is the 2007. examination, throughout the State main reason why the government decided The directors of public instructions, to modernize the Act and Rules. A SCERT, SIET, SIEMAT, SSA, higher ¦ Edusat, E-learning – Modern committee led by the former chief secondary department and vocational education system with the help of secretary C.P. was formed for this higher secondary department meet every satellite purpose and it submitted a report to the month under the chairmanship of the government. Government plans to secretary of the General Education approve this report only after putting it to Department to evaluate previous month’s the discussion before the society. works and to formulate plans for the next For the first time in Kerala’s educational month. On the basis of this a state level history a three day work shop was held for meeting of the officers up to the DEO the whole set of teachers from Std 1 to 12. level is held monthly. A higher education council They got together at the grama panchayat Also the vacancies for teachers in each was set up under the noted level on the June 1st and created a plan district are published in websites to avoid educational expert Dr. for the ensuing academic year. On the basis the complaints that vacancies are not filled K.N.Panikar to coordinate of this the teachers got together at school even while PSC lists are available. level on June 2nd and formulated the work It was the field of higher education the functioning of various plan for the year. that was most severely affected in the UDF universities, to give directions Cluster training for the teachers are rule during 2001-06. By crossing all limits to the government on the now being held on Saturdays to save more in allotting courses and colleges, they issues related to higher working days. In the beginning some handed over the lion’s share of the self- education and to ensure teachers unions tried to weaken these financing educational field to the clutches programmes but later everyone agreed on of educational traders and religious powers. social justice and quality in the need to provide quality education. They even paved way to privatise the field of higher education. This is seen as a good sign and it has been education in government-aided colleges agreed to hold the cluster training on by allotting unaided courses. The balanced Saturdays. growth and quality of education was badly On light of the leakage of question affected by allotting more than the papers of the model exam in February, the required number of colleges and courses SSLC question papers were kept in the in the professional stream and ignoring the treasuries and banks to ensure study and research of basic subjects. On top of it all they took up a stand that ruled

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M.A Baby, Minister for Education, addressing the Teachers’ meet, `Mikavu 2007-08’ at Thiruvananthapuram. out the role of social justice from the restructuring of degree level education, organisations. Stages are being set up to education field. experimenting the cluster level colleges to facilitate the exchange of cultural symbols We have to ensure social justice, quality ensure quality education to a more number and its originalities. The ‘Octave’ is an and diversity in the field of higher of people, publishing the details on higher example. The Government is planning to education to have a stable economic, social education institutions, formulating the encourage the innate cultural forms of our and cultural development. Online higher education policies of the state, state by including the participation of counselling was introduced for the first collecting a fund of Rs. one crore for people. time in the country. Now efforts are being providing scholarship to the bright and The main activities of the cultural carried out to fine-tune it. economically backward students and to wing include the reorganization of all the There is an inequality in the field of create a criterion to provide recognition cultural institutions and the inclusion of entrance exams due to the presence of for colleges and courses from 2008. women in them, celebrations of the 50th coaching centres. These centres normally A scholarship was allotted for the anniversary of Kerala Piravi and the first charge huge fees and are therefore minority students from the professional government of the State, the completion unaccessible to the economically field as the part of a central government of procedures for making ‘Kalamandalam’ backward. Thus steps are being taken to scheme. a deemed university, increasing the restructure the exam model so as to ensure The recruitment of teachers, which pension amount and the number of social justice. was in standstill for the last 10 years, was pensions for the ailing artists, medical This government drafted laws within started again. Attempts are being made to allowance for the artists who are in ill one month of ascending power to ensure get on a decision on the posting of teachers health, organising of ‘Octave 2008’, social justice and quality in self-financing in the aided courses started during the renovation of the regional theatre in the educational field. Even though the law period 1998-2001. After its completion premises of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka couldn’t be put into practice in its full form the government could advance a lot in the Academy, a new administrative block for due to the intervention of the court, many direction of providing the social justice and the Kerala Folk Lore Academy, restrictions could be made in the case of quality in the government / aided field. commencement of preliminary work of a „ fee structure and admission procedure. Culture film festival block with modern facilities, Fifty per cent of the students in self- The cultural field in Kerala is in the international book festivals organised at financing medical colleges were able to path of a new beginning. Programmes are Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, study by paying government fees only. The being planned to energise all the cultural and Kozhikode, plans for mode of entrance exam is also in the process renovating KSFDC and a modern research of modification so as to help the students centre for Lalitha Kala Academy at Ernakulam. from rural areas. This Government The Left Democratic Front A higher education council was set up drafted laws within under the noted chairmanship of the Government does have the satisfaction for educational expert Dr. K.N. Panikar to one month of being able to complete several noted coordinate the functioning of various ascending power to projects. We do accept the fact that we still universities, to give adviceto the ensure social justice have a lot to complete. We have to gather government on the issues related to higher and quality in self- the support from all sections of the public education and to ensure social justice and financing educational to continue advancing in all fields, quality in the field of higher education. institutions. especially in the educational sector. The council carries out functions like the

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he efforts made by the Government with the active co- operation of Officers and staff have now begun to yield results. It was made sure corruption is rooted out in the T implementation of schemes for the welfare of these underprivileged sections of Society. No serious allegations have been raised from any quarter during this period about any irregularities on the part of any official.

Welfare Ensured Power Empowered

hen the Left Democratic Front of Rs. 43.74 crore was remaining unspent when Government assumed charge in this Government took charge. The State has not WMay 2006, we were facing a lot been receiving Additional Central Assistance from of challenges, to be addressed on a war 2006 due to this lapse. footing. Corruption was prevailing The efforts made by the Government with everywhere in the Scheduled Castes and the active co-operation of Officers and staff of these Scheduled Tribes Development. Departments have now begun to yield results. It Connivance on the part of higher-ups in was made sure that corruption is rooted out in the the shady dealings has given a free hand for implementation of schemes and no serious the corrupt officials. The Comptroller and allegations are arising. Auditor General of India in his reports has The progress achieved during these two years A.K. Balan time and again pointed out many instances in the utilisation of Plan allocation was Minister for Welfare of of irregularities involving crore of Rupees. commendable. In 2006-07, Scheduled Castes Backward and Scheduled Many such cases are now under the scrutiny Communities and Electricity Development Department utilised 85.98 per cent of Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau. of Plan allocation and Scheduled Trines Another area of concern was Development achieved 91 per cent. In 2007-08, underutilisation of Plan funds and non- 97.54 per cent and 93.19 per cent respectively. utilisation of Central allocation. The average Now, Central Assistance can be expected in utilisation of funds under Special the coming years as we could clear all pending Component Plan for the period 2001-06 projects. was only 76 per cent in Scheduled Castes Education Development Department and that in First of all, we could make sure that educational Scheduled Tribes Development Department assistance is released to all students in time and was 67.22 per cent. Out of Rs. 60 crore that the entire arrears are cleared. Educational allocated as Additional Central Assistance assistance like lumpsum and stipend were released during the period 2002-05 for various at the beginning of the academic year itself, that schemes for Tribal development, an amount also for four months in advance, both these years.

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V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, releasing the software `Oruma’, developed by KSEB for its offices.

When the Government took over there Scheduled Caste families and 25000 power. During 2006-07, 5000 families were arrears to the tune of Rs. 40.84 crore Scheduled Tribe families are houseless in were sanctioned assistance for house toward educational assistance to SC/ST this State. The Government is committed construction and in 2007-08, 15165 students. to provide decent dwelling places to all of families were provided assistance. During The mess allowances of Pre-metric them. The Government have increased these two years construction of 10580 hostels were raised from Rs. 500 to Rs. the housing assistance to Scheduled Tribe houses were completed. The rest of the 700 and that Post-metric hostels and families from Rs. 75, 000 to Rs. One lakh houses are in various stages of construction Model Residential Schools from Rs. 700 and Scheduled Caste families from Rs. 70, and all of them are expected complete to Rs. 900. Steps were taken to provide 000 to Rs. 75, 000. 8548 houses allowed construction this year. Local Self the basic facilities in all hostels, besides during the tenure of the previous Government Institutions are also giving taking up construction of buildings for Government to Scheduled Castes were top priority for housing sector. Under hostels accommodated in rented buildings. remaining incomplete when this came to Indira Awas Yojana, Scheduled Castes and Students studying for self financing Scheduled Tribes get 60 per cent of the courses are now given full fees concession allocation and as a result of all these efforts with retrospective effect from 2004-05. we hope the housing problem among Scheduled castes can be solved within the Orders were also issued to provide fees to Government have OEC students getting admission in next three years. professional colleges under SEBC quota. increased the housing Rehabilitation assistance to Scheduled The Government ensured all ST seats Rs. Scheduled Tribes Development for MBBS and BDS filled by issuing order Tribe families fr Department could provide housing for considering the marks obtained in the 75, 000 to Rs. One lakh assistance to 1835 families, out of which qualifying examination also. and Scheduled Caste 753 houses were completed. The problem Fifty per cent increase made in the families from Rs. 70, of housing among Scheduled Tribes is Educational concessions like lump sum 000 to Rs. 75, 000. closely related to their rehabilitation as it is grant, stipend, pocket money for pre- During 2006-07, 5000 estimated 21000 families are landless. The metric and post-metric students is a families were sanctioned Government is committed to find a lasting creditable achievement. assistance for house solution to the problems these SC and ST students getting admission construction and in communities deprived of basic human in prestigious institutions like National rights face for decades. Land was Institute of Fashion Technology and All 2007-08, 15165 families distributed to 1761 families; 4352 India Institute of Management were now were provided assistance. families were given records of rights and getting educational assistance. pattayams for 302 families. In Aralam Housing Farm 1717 families were given land and It is estimated that more than 60000 assistance.

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We hope to get enough forest land to Castes and Scheduled Tribes, a statutory provide minimum one acre of land to each Commission to ensure and protect the of the landless Tribal family. Government rights conferred by the Constitution for of India have already given clearance for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 7693 hectares of forestland for this Kerala is the second State to constitute purpose. Once the case relating to such a Commission, after . exemption from payment of Net Present ¦ Signed PPA with Central Electricity The publication of the magazine Value for the land, pending in the Station, aiming the production of ‘Padavukal’, restarted. Supreme Court is disposed of favourably, 696 mega watt electricity The electricity dues of Scheduled the land will be distributed to the landless Tribes have been written off. For ¦ Thirty new sub stations Tribals. We are determined not to allow providing electricity to all SC/ST commissioned; actions going on any terrorist outfits or other interested households within the next three years, all for the commissioning of 32 new groups to exploit the land issue to achieve measures have taken. substations more their hidden agenda. For the first time Trade and Cultural ¦ Actions for the commissioning of Health Exhibition by name ‘Gaddika’ was 500 mega watt electricity An amount of Rs.10 crore allocated conducted with much fanfare and people projects within the period of this by Government of India in 2003-04 for a participation. Government Health Insurance Scheme for Tribals was In a one-day workshop 600 pending ¦ Financial assistance for the remaining unutilised. This Government files could be disposed. Such workshops construction of house to 1734 ST has evolved a Comprehensive Health will be held regularly in future to ensure families, completed construction Project for utilising the fund to give free timely action. of 722 houses medical treatment in all Hospitals including The Kerala State Development major ones. ¦ 1761 families, including 1717 Corporation for SCs/STs has provided Under the existing scheme to provide tribals were given land at Aralam Rs.14 crore as loan to 2840 entrepreneurs Farm, Kannur; 4352 landless assistance for medical treatment of during these two years. The Kerala State tribals were given possession Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation for Christian certificates; 302 tribal families who are below poverty line assistance was Converts and Recommended were given pattas provided to 34427 persons utilising 5.09 Communities has disbursed an amount crore, after this Government came to of Rs. 2.13 crore to 2144 beneficiaries. power. The Kerala State Backward Other Measures Development Corporation for Backward The Land Reforms in the State could Classes Corporation is certified as the best not meet the aspirations of a sizable section in India by the National financing agencies of Scheduled Caste families, especially like NMFDC and NBSFDC. During agricultural labourers. The Government 2007-08 the turnover of the Corporation have evolved a scheme to provide subsidy has crossed 100 crore. During the past It is estimated that more than to the tune of Rs. 50, 000 to buy two years the Corporation disbursed Rs. 60000 Scheduled Castes agricultural land. Though the scheme has 163 crore to 24828 beneficiaries. families and 25000 started implementing in 2007-08 in a This Government has already paved Scheduled Tribe families are modest way, it will be made more the foundation for the all-round houseless in this State. With comprehensive if the situation requires. development of these sections of the limited resources Another scheme implemented by this population with a view to bring them to available, Government faces a Government is to empower Scheduled the mainstream of social life by the above herculian task to provide Castes women through Self Help Groups. measures and efforts will continue The scheme envisages providing Grant of houses to all of them. But relentlessly to pursue the steps with the this Government is Rs. 1.25 lakhs to each of such Groups to active co-operation of the officers and staff start units having employment potential. of the Department, in the coming years. committed to provide An amount of Rs. 2.5 crore released to decent dwelling places start a Tribal Complex at Ernakulam. This Power Sector to all of them. will facilitate the exhibition and sale of Now the power sector in the State faces products of Tribals. so many crises. The Central Electricity Commission for SC/ST Act 2003 was just a natural continuation Another notable achievement of this of the liberalised economic policy in India. Government is the constitution of the The Act insists that the Electricity Boards Kerala State Commission for Scheduled should be disbanded and new companies

May 2008 19 KERALA CALLING

should be established instead, in such a agree, we have no other legal option but Regulatory Commission. Utilising this way that structural reforms should be to form three different companies in place point, State Government decided to give brought in so that the private investment of the Electricity Board. policy directions to the Commission. The can have the upper hand in the running It was in 2006 that the State Government of Kerala gave 11 directions of these companies. The National Electricity Regulatory Commission to the Commission. They included Electricity Policy and Tariff Policy, that initiated steps to revise the tariff in tune continuation of cross subsidy, refusing were formulated as a continuation of the with the Central Tariff policy and license to private parties in transmission Electricity Act, will lead to the common Electricity policy. The gist of the Central and distribution fields, continuance of man being denied electric power. Within Tariff Policy is to reduce cross subsidy and priority connections, give special priority these limitations, Kerala was able to make bring it to 20 per cent. If we follow the to patients in critical stage, and to those tangible achievements. State Government central pattern, then in Kerala where the people who are economically and socially has decided to follow a development average rate of electricity per unity is backward. This effort to ensure social justice in the electricity sector was keenly watched by the whole nation. Production, transmission and distribution sectors of electricity were stagnant when the LDF assumed power in the state. Those projects started by the LDF long back during 1996 – 2001 periods were also not progressing. The Government had to intervene in a beg way to change this unhealthy situation. Even those applications for electric connection submitted in 2001 were not honoured. This Government was able to grant 912300 connections within two years. But for a few electrical sections, connections were given to applications submitted till received up to January 1, 2007 (where electric posts have to be A.K Balan, Minister for Welfare of Backward and Scheduled Communities, presenting gold medal to S. Arya, who won gold in the Saf games at Colombo. erected), and applications received till September 2007 where erection of new posts were not needed. alternative to the Central Government Rs.3.20, the lowest rate will be around In order to improve the voltage level policies and to retain the Electricity Board Rs.2.56. To the domestic consumers, and avoiding power failures, within the as a public sector undertaking. whose connected load is 500 watts and last two years 32000 kilometres of 11 KV The term of the Kerala State Electricity monthly consumption less than 20 units, lines and 41000 transformers were Board is to end on 9th June 2006 and this electricity is supplied free of cost, in Kerala. installed. This is an all time record. During was when the Left Democratic Front Up to 40 units the rate is Rs.1.15 and for the five years prior to these only 4776 Government assumed power. The first the farmers the rate is just 65 paise. The kilometres of 11 KV line and just 6755 agenda before the Government was to poor people in Kerala can now use transformers were installed. ensure that the term of the Electricity electricity because power is supplied at very In the Transmission sector also the Board be extended. Thus we were able to low rates. In April 2006, the Electricity Government achieved commendable manage to get extension four times, to Regulatory Commission asked the Board progress. After assumption of power, 30 convert the Board into companies. Now to submit a petition to the effect that all new substations have been commissioned. the term of the Board is to end on 9th June the poor have to pay a minimum of KSEB is now implementing projects and 2008, and the Government of India is Rs.2.56 per unit. schemes outlined by the then LDF taking an uncompromising attitude in The Regulatory Commission also Government in 1998 in a master plan. giving further extensions. Converting the insisted on making Own Your Electricity Even these items of work were pending Electricity Board into different companies Connection scheme mandatory for all. We during the regime of the previous will in no way help to improve the do not blame the Regulatory Commission Government. efficiency of the organisation. So we request since this alone was what they could do as No efforts were taken to adapt to the to the Government of India to grant per the policy of the Government of India. situation even though there were marked permission to have the present system of The Electricity Act 2003, Section changes in consumption pattern and load Board continue. But since the 108, says that the State Government can Government of India is in no mood to give policy directions on the actions of the Contd. on page 55

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From page 19 MW) have commenced. The project has to cross the 2800 MW mark. With the been tendered. Thottiyar (40 MW), Central Government reducing power Welfare reached Barapole (21 MW) also have been quota by 133 MW on April 1, 2001 and the ground tendered. Sanction from Government of another 50 MW on 27th December, 2001. India was obtained for the 163 MW Despite pressure from the State Athirappalli project. For the period 2012 Government we were not able to re- centres. This Government took up works – 17, investigation for 500 MW projects establish the 183 cut from the Central Pool. on a priority basis. This Government has has begun. It became impossible to go forward also drafted a master plan for the without reducing the peak hour demand. transmission sector till 2020. We were able to get Government Sanction for establishing a 1000 MW Government went out to the intelligent A440 KV Power High Way power plant in Orissa. Enough coalfields general public of the state and connecting the south to north of Kerala, a were purchased and an MOU was signed implemented the message – Switch off one 220 KV net work which is a continuation with the Governments of Orissa and light and save the State from load of the 440 KV net work, 110 and 33 KV Gujaarat to form a company for mining shedding. The response from the people net works that takes electricity up the coal. Another project to produce 25 MW was commendable. village level etc. are part of the transmission power from the wind is being established By permitting industrial concerns to system planned. By 2011, around 200 at Ramakkalmedu in Idukki and at pay of the arrears of electricity charges in new substations will also become part of Attappady in Palakkad. It was decided to convenient instalments, a lot of industrial the network. produce 100 MW during the tenure of concerns under lock out were reopened. The Smart City, Port at Vizhinjam, the present regime itself. Government also To ensure that the plantations and Container Terminal at Vallarpadam and a industrial establishments reopen and lot of such other ventures are coming to function effectively and profitably, it was Kerala. The transmission project being decided to waive the minimum demand implemented now is ensuring quality charge for the period when the power without interruption. During the last two establishment was under lock and key. It In the production sector also the years power was decided to purchase articles from Government of Kerala intervened in a big consumption reached Public Sector undertakings without way. During 1996-01 period, the then a new record with an resorting to re- tender. Thus the Meter LDF Government was able to establish increase of more than company at Kollam, Traco Cables, KEL projects to produce 1086 MW electricity. etc could reopen and function. seven million units per Or else, the state would have faced total The arrears of minimum guarantee power cut. But during 2001-06 electricity day. There was 15 per of Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribe production projects that could produce cent increase in the consumers’ was written off. For drinking 26.5 MW was the only one completed. power consumed by. water projects the LT4 tariff of Rs.3.25 Though there wasn’t sufficient staff the the industrial sector was reduced to the house hold rate of previous Government retrenched 114 civil Rs.1.15. The fixed charges were also given engineers on the very same day they were up. appointed, on the ground that there was Regarding the welfare of the employees no vacancy. and staff, their revision of pay was Left Democratic Front Government tried its level best to get maximum share implemented. Pension was also revised. has decided to give great importance to go from the Central pool and was able to Rs.750 crore was spent in this was. It was in for maximum number of projects to obtain 696 MW. decided not to outsource certain works. produce electricity. For this all the During the last two years power Other organisations like ANERT, retrenched engineers were re-appointed consumption reached a new record with EMC and Electrical Inspectorate reported and deputed them to project areas. an increase of more than seven million units good progress in the last two years. This Government also took steps to per day. There was 15 per cent increase in ANERT was stagnating during the commission new projects with installed the power consumed by the industrial UDF rule and the plan funds only the capacity of 500 MW. Projects like Kuttiadi sector. Despite huge rise in consumption tune of eight per cent could be utilised. Additional Extension (100 MW), Kuttiadi and cut in the power allocated from the This Government strengthened ANERT Tail Rise (5 MW) and Nariyamangalam Central pool, through effective and re-established high efficiency choolas. Extension (25 MW) have been completed management, the LDF government was During 2006-07, the Government and final tests prior to commissioning is able to keep load shedding and power cut became richer by eight mega watt power going on. at bay during 2006-07. On 21st February through the Energy Auditing Programme The works relating to the Pullivasal 2007 the peak load demand was 2742 of EMC. In 2007-08, we hope to reduce Extension (60MW), Adyanpara (3.5 MW, a new record. In 2008, it is expected consumption by about 11 per cent.

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hrough concerted and firm action against thieves, poachers and the criminal mafia in Marayoor, everybody including the criminals, got the message that the Government meant business and no efforts will be sparedT to bring to book the culprits and ensure that they are brought behind bars. Conserving Forest forPosterity

hey performed a magic – make the forests policy, and marched ahead with firm, unerring of Kerala vanish in front of our very eyes. steps. The response to this policy was mixed. Some TTo those responsible for this blatant act, were sceptical, some disbelieved, some spread the forests were nothing but an easy means to rumours, and the few wise appreciated. After two amass wealth. They cared not a hoot to the years, with a sense of satisfaction the LDF objections of the public. They managed, by hook Government, looks back and feels it could be proud or crook, to obtain the patronage of those in of the achievement. Whereas forests marked more power, influence and weapons. And a powerful depletion elsewhere in India and abroad, the mafia was formed in Kerala. They became so satellite surveys show that the forest cover has really powerful that they could make and destroy increased in Kerala, in Kerala alone. Yes, we became administrators of public trust. When they a model for other states and countries to follow in managed to move unchallenged along the one more aspect. Definitely it was the determined corridors of power, it tolled the knell of forests. efforts of the Government to defeat the mafia and Binoy Viswam And they got the support of some political leaders to afforest more area that brought about this Minister for Forest and who worshipped nothing but currency notes. creditable achievement. So many positive actions, Housing These unscrupulous elements moving hand in like declaring the comprising hand when the Left Democratic Front assumed of 3200 ha. area in Munnar to ensure complete power in May 2006. protection and prevent encroachments, taking over The LDF perfectly knows the mission of 440ha. land from area from the clutches forests, the boon of nature in the form of woods of encroachers, and 9006 ha. forest area of and trees. This Government appreciate the fact Mankulam, rich in bio-diversity and declaring that it should be committed to guarding and them as reserve forests, helped in creating another conserving the forests, which could provide excellent and suitable in the field of unpolluted air and water, not only to the present forest conservation also. generation, but generations still unborn. So the The declaration of LDF Government that Government formulated an integrated forest there was no question of compromising with forest

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Binoy Viswam, Minister for Forest and Housing, addressing the officials of Nirmithi Kendra mafia and those who destroyed forest, was onus of inquiring into the notorious Government’s action to send to prisons indeed followed by stern action. Through Walayar sandal wood case has been given the people engaged in the sale of tiger skin, concerted and firm action against thieves, to the CBI. The CBI was reluctant to take snake poison etc. poachers and the criminal mafia in up this case initially. But the fact that the The Government stand is that not Marayoor, famous for its sandal wood trees CBI was ordered to take up the case by even an inch of forest is depleted, and to and infamous for sandal wood thefts, the Hon’ble High Court of Kerala after ensure this through co-operation and everybody including the criminals, got the considering the Government’s stand in this participation of the general public. In message that the Government meant case shows the determination of the LDF social forestry also a new world record was business and no efforts will be spared to to ensure punishment to offenders. And created when about 25 lakhs school bring to book the culprits and ensure that this should be read along with the children throughout Kerala planted they are brought behind bars. And these saplings on the world environment day. actions led to the uprooting of the mafia, And this was our humble step to prevent who had interstate connections. The global warming. The planting of a live reports emphasised that the thefts of sandal fence along the Tsunami destroyed sea trees were classic examples of the mafia- The Government stand coast to protect the locals under political patronage connection. Official is that not even an inch “Haritatheeram’ – Green coast project — reports of thefts at that time were of forest is depleted, and is another example. Planting of saplings manipulated in such a way that the culprits to ensure this through along the road sides with the assistance of could escape the law. co-operation and head-load workers under “Vazhiyora There are examples when observations participation of the Thanal’ - road side shade – is yet another of the Hon’ble courts in sandal wood theft general public. In social step in social forestry. The survival rate of cases lead to the resignation of Ministers the saplings was very poor in the past. But from cabinet. When the LDF Govern forestry also a new world record was this Government gave importance not only ment assumed charge an average of eight to planting, but also to maintenance and sandal trees per day had been stolen. But created when about 25 so the survival rate of the plants this much trees are not lost even during a lakhs school children arecommendable. And with satisfaction month now. It is an all time record. Sandal throughout Kerala on Government watch the growth of the wood mafia, gunja cultivators and poachers the world environment plants and the realisation of the ambitious have felt the sting of the actions of this day planted saplings. projects. Government. 140 culprits were arrested This Government could not during the last two years (And many of contribute to leaving the tribes high and them were abscording as per records!). The dry, to their penury and miseries. Crash

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programmes to benefit the tribes in the merchants who participated in the forests are being implemented with auctions and would pay nothing but a excellent results. The Department of small amount as earnest money deposit. Forests give all possible assistance to the Then they would leave, and come back to Government in implementing imaginative remove the timber paying the balance programmes for the welfare of the tribes. amount and meagre interest levied, when The Eco-development Committees the timber prices were really high. Now constituted under the Department of they have to pay 50 percent of the auction Forests depicted wonderful achievements amount immediately and remove timber during the last two years. Four tons of after paying the balance amount within a pepper produced under organic few days. The depot officers and range ¦ Planted 36 lakh seedlings cultivations by the members of the Eco- officers were given the authority to grant outside the forest under development Committees of Periyar has extension of time, a maximum of three three afforestation been exported to . When the months to pay up and remove timber. programmes, ‘Ente tribes of Periyar prove their might in the After this date the timber would be re- maram’, Vazhiyora thanal’ world market by introducing pepper auctioned. and ‘Harithatheeram’ produced through organic methods for Moreover the common man has been ¦ Three per cent increase in the first time, many orthodox groups find provided with great many facilities in total forest area it unpalatable. In fact, when Government obtaining timber for constructing his own boldly took over areas as and when their house. He could buy timber from depots ¦ The number of illegal sandal tree cutting reduced lease was over, there were many who at justifiable price avoiding middle men opposed this move on various grounds. and timber merchants through the retail ¦ Declaration of 148 sq.km. They complained that the very practice of sale system of the Government. buffer zone area cordon to organic cultivation was at stake. Their The LDF Government also amended Silent Valley National Park intentions were great - that the organic the Act relating to growing and felling of ¦ Declaration of Sanctuary farming certificate obtained must not trees in private land to ensure that for the peacock at become invalid. And that only they can common man did not face much Choolannur really do organic farming! To their dismay, difficulties on the one side and preventing tribes found no difficulty in proving that large scale felling of trees utilising the loop they could equally succeed in organic holes in the Act. farming. The Government also gave protective In fact, during earlier days, the armour to the Silent Valley National Park middlemen got all the profit where as the by declaring a 148 Sq. km. buffer zone tribes got pittance. The middle men from area cordon. adjacent states used to visit the tribes even Further, the Government ensured the before the cropping season and advance ecological equilibrium of the estuary of the The government nominal amounts to the tribes. These Kadalundi river which is very rich with constituted the “M.N simple folk felt obliged to sell all their Laksham Veedu waterfowl and migratory birds. To enable produce to these people who had this the Kadalundi- area was Renovation” programme advanced them money. And of course the declared a community reserve. The under which 60,000 houses price was always determined by the agents declaration of the Community reserve will be renovated at a cost and tribes never could bargain. Kerala ensured that the labourers of this area of 300crore shared between once again becomes role model when the engaged in various profession such as the government and the tribes prove that they could compete with fishing, sand mining etc. could continue village panchayats. For this, those who had the monopoly of organic their profession without destroying the the budget has set apart farming. 22crore and a M.N ecological system. This is the third The Government also issued order for community reserve in India. Lakshamveedu Renovation providing timber for house building to The Government took over 22.45 ha. Lottery has also been started to raise money. the tribes in the forests at mere 25 percent of land previously possessed by the of the Government rate. Harison Group in Thoothumpara Estate The Government also provided reeds when they violated the lease conditions. and bamboos at subsidised rates to the And this sent out the signal that traditional artisans among the tribes. Government would not compromise with Sale of timbers was a major area where the rich and influential. corrupt practices ruled. The rich timber The LDF also appreciate that the

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Binoy Viswam, Minister for Forest and M.A Baby, Minister for Education jointly presenting vanamithra puraskaram to the winners. preservation and conservation of forests is Lottery has also been started to raise celebrations of the Kerala government, essential for the very survival of human money. As this project benefits the poor, I people from lower sections who have taken race and that the depletion of forests meant hope it will have popular support. loans from the Housing Board will have destruction of mankind. And this was the This government has also increased the them written off or have the interest guiding principle behind the legislations Central allocation to the State Housing lowered. The one time settlement scheme and implementation of projects under the Board to 35 crore from 10 crore. Steps of the government have so far benefited Department of Forests. Now we can have have been taken to sell the flats and plots 37,517 people and has been extended to the satisfaction to know that the people of the State Housing Board and it was sold March 31 2008, keeping in mind that it and Government of Kerala march ahead, to 632 people. The salary of the employees is for the lower sections. hand in hand, to conserve our forests for of the Housing Board was enhanced and Steps to make the joint project of us, and for generations yet to be born. the dearness allowance and increments of Hudco and the Housing Board in The Dream of House for All the Nirmithi Kendra staff were also Thiruvananthapuram to materialise `Houses for All’ is a very popular aim allowed. After obtaining the “A” class Habitat Centre a reality have started. of the Left government. To achieve this, registration from the Public Works “Jagathy Housing Board”, “Pattom the government have started innovative Department, the Housing Board has Commercial Complex Project”, “P.T schemes including the flagship programme started the works themselves. In addition, Chacko Nagar Housing-Finance project”, `E. M. S Total Housing Project’. It is the the board also takes up consultancy jobs “Pandit Colony Extension Project” and in tears of the homeless that moves the left and deposit works. Projects using cost Ernakulam the “Panambally Nagar government to get involved in the housing effective production materials and project” will be started soon. The works of scheme. techniques have been started by the Nirmithi Gurukulam commenced again The Housing Minister in the Achutha Central government. Testing centres for after a gap of five years. It was renamed Menon government, M.N Govindan Nair production materials will be upgraded and “Laurie Baker Nirmithi Training and formulated the 1972 “Laksham Veedu” margin free markets will be started. Research Institute” and expanded at a cost programme. Houses constructed under For training labourers in cost effective of 25 lakh. An award in memory of Laurie this scheme, are now in a state of disrepair production techniques, short term courses Baker popularly called “ Paavangalude and need renovation. The government will be started. The syllabus for the courses Perunthachan” was also constituted to constituted the `M.N Laksham Veedu will be prepared by labour leaders and promote low cost housing. Costford Renovation’ programme under which others. received the first award. 60,000 houses will be renovated at a cost The Government have increased the The Housing Task Force was of 300 crore shared between the subsidy of those who have at least two constituted and seminars were conducted government and the village panchayats. cents of land from Rs 9000 to Rs 25000 as part of this. The problems of the For this, the budget has set apart 22 crore according to the “Suraksha Housing homeless may not be solved by this, but and a M.N. Lakshamveedu Renovation Scheme”. As part of the 50th anniversary they will help at certain extent in all possible ways.

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he Government of Kerala will have to depend the Central Government and the neighbouring states for procuring food grains for Public Distribution System T since the state produces only 15per cent of the requirement. Successful Achievements

andate for LDF rule in Kerala in 2006 materials to everybody having ration cards. Elections was a prelude to change in Subsequently in 1997 statutory rationing system Mthe history of the state. Greater was amended as targeted public distribution responsibilities such as uplift of the down trodden system on the basis of a recommendation from the and make their future more prosperous are on Government of India. The Central Government the shoulders of Sri. v.s. Achuthanandan, Hon classified ration cardholders as AP L, BPL, AAY ‘ble Chief Minister. The Government since depending upon the income of the family. Further received more acclaims from various corners for in 2001 allottement to APL cardholders were its uncorrupt and people friendly activities. The withdrawn. victorious journey has yielded results in various The Government of Kerala will have to depend fields as the Government is moving towards its the Central Government and the neighboring C. Divakaran third year of incessant activities. states for procuring food grains for Public Minister for Food, Civil It is a great pleasure for me to see that LDF Distribution System since the state produces only Supplies & Animal Government, always with the people, have 15per cent of the requirement. Husbandry started a lot of developmental activities that were In 2006 when Left Democratic Front stagnant during the previous Government. A lot Government assumed office, the people of Kerala of new projects and programmes to address the deserted ration shops because of their poor problems in ‘Civil Supplies’, ‘Animal Husbandry’, performance. The Left Democratic Front ‘Consumer Affairs’, ‘Legal Metrology’ and ‘Dairy Government revived the system so that all the BP Sector’ have been started or in progress. The L ration card holders returned to the ration shops success of all these programmes rests on the whole and 65 per cent of the AP L ration card holders hearted support and participation of the people began to utilize the ration shops. Only 3 per cent of Kerala. of the AP L card holders taken food grains from Food & Civil Supplies Department ration shops before May 2006. Now all possible In Kerala from 1966 onwards-statutory steps have been taken to attract all the ration card Rationing system was in force. This system was holders back into the Public Distribution System, introduced with a view to distribute essential food but for the hostile attitude of the Government of

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Ensuring the Best: C. Divakaran, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, visits the market to ensure the free flow of food grains.

India. power was 1,13,420 Mt per month which Government of India took a stand that In connection, with the Festival was reduced to 21,334 Mt subsequently the responsibility to maintain P DS rest of 2006, twenty lakhs Onam Kits free and the same was further reduced to with State Government. It is their duty to ofcost were distributed among BP L 17,056 Mt with effect from April 2008. procure rice from outside if the production families. About Rs 6.5 crore was spent for With this allotment the Government of is below the requirement. This attitude of this programme. Onam Kits were Kerala can provide an AP L card holders the Government of India is against the distributed through Civil Supplies with 3.5 kg rice per month which is far principles behind the statutory rationing Corporation and not a single complaint below the requirement. An all party system prevailing in the State since 1966. was received so far as distribution is delegation met the Hon ‘ble Prime Paddy Procurement concerned. During Onam 2007 all Minister and Hon ‘ble Agriculture Minster The paddy farmers of Kerala were in Cardholders were provided with 25-35 on 15th April 2008 with a request to a pathetic condition when the LDF kgs of good quality raw rice and 1.5 kg restore AP L rice allotment, but the Government assumed power in 2006. sugar in excess of normal quota. In Paddy fields were converted for non connection with the Onam, School agricultural activities since paddy children were provided with 5 Kg rice free cultivation has become a non profit making of cost. About 5 lakh food grain kits were Government of Kerala business. Government of Kerala with a distributed; free of cost among Chikkun with a view to improve view to improve agricultural activities and gunia affected people. The total agricultural activities and attaint self sufficiency procured paddy at expenditure for this account alone is Rs.9 attaint self sufficiency the rate of Rs 8.50 per Kg during 2006 crore. This is in addition to free ration procured paddy at the rate and later raised procurement price to Rs. supplied to people affected by the natural of Rs 8.50 per Kg during 10/- during the current harvest seasons. calamities and workers in locked out 2006 and later raised Payment to the Farmers are made only plantations. Rice at the rate of Rs.3/- per through Bank Accounts so that no kg is distributed among BP L cardholders procurement price to Rs. intermediary lose is brought to them. The since March 2006. All efforts are taken to 10/- during the current custom milled rice are distributed to ration see that this scheme is continued without harvest seasons. Payment card holders to the maximum possible any disruption. An mount of 120 crore to the Farmers are made extent. Yet there are issues relating to harvest rupees per year is given as subsidy for this only through bank and milling which owes attention of the programme. accounts so that no Government. Sufficient Government Increase in Central Allotment intermediary lose is owned mills are not available at present The central allotment for AP L rice brought to them. but steps are on the way to start rice mills under the public distribution system at under the public sector. Insufficient storage the time when the Government came to facility is another hurdle to face in the procurement of paddy. A project for

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starting paddy yard at Kuttanad is markets prevented price raise in the open submitted to Government of India with market during Onam 2007. 29 items of the request for making available funds vegetables, 1000 MT of , at the under the Central Scheme. rate of Rs. 12 to 15 were marketed through One of the problems prevalent in P special Onam market. Price of Banana and DS was diversion of ration articles. This is Vegetables were effectively controlled a social problem which can be solved only through these markets.

¦ Monthly distribution of 35 kg. through the whole hearted support lended Allegations of Corruption to the tune rice to APL card holders at a by the people of Kerala. 258989 of 135 crore during the tenure of UDF rate of Rs.8.90 per kg. and inspections and surprise checks were Government in supplyco was referred to 25 kg. to BPL card holders at conducted by the Government so far and C.B.lfor further enquiry. a rate of Rs three per kg. licences of 418 ARDs and 40 A WDs were Exhibition of price list at all shops made suspended for irregularities. All ARDs compulsory and steps are taken to see that ¦ Procurement of paddy at a were directed to use Electronic balance and the shop owners do exhibit price list rate of Rs 10 per kg. exhibit price list of items sold through without fail. Surprise checks are conducted ¦ Price monitoring cell in all 14 them. An amount of Rs. 1,43,53,818 was in all districts under the direct supervision districts in the State imposed as fine for the irregularities of Secretary for Food Department, detected. To minimize diversion the Director oj Civil Supplies, District Supply ¦ Public distribution system Government is exploring possibility to Officer etc. strengthened engage Civil Supplies Corporation as the It is proposed to start 68 Maveli ¦ Distribution of essential only whole sale dealer. This new projects is Medical Stores. For this 54 posts of commodities at lower price implemented in as a Assistant Pharmacist have been created and thorugh 24000 centres like pilot project. reported to Kerala Public Service Maveli, Maveli Supermarkets, To prevent diversion Food advisory Commission for recruitment. People’s Bazars, Labham and vigilance committee which was Privilege cards with insurance coverage Markets etc. inactive during the previous Government has been introduced in Civil Supplies was reconstituted in state and district level, Corporation outlets. Customers will be ¦ More consumer centric for more effective intervention in P.D.S benefited by minimum 2per cent on using measures in Supplyco by including MLA’s representative of Local this card. Super Market will work 7 days a Self Governemnt, NGO’s etc. Steps are week and 2per cent special subsidy is being taken to form Taluk level provided. committees. To Keep the market price steady For effective inspections a special Supplyco is reviewing the selling price squad is formed including officers form every month and not changing the selling ood Civil Supplies Department, Legal price frequently even when the purchase Metrology, Health, Revenue, Police & rate are going up. While fixing the selling To prevent diversion F Motor transport. Ration ‘adalaths’ were advisory and vigilance rate for essential commodities Supplyco conducted to find immediate solution for considers the open market price and the committee which was inactive public complaints. selling rate of other leading retail shops of during the previous During festival seasons such as Onam, Kerala. Even when the procurement rates Government was , Ramzan, there is a tendency are going up Supplyco retain the previous for price rice in the open market. To prevent reconstituted in state and.D.S selling rate for maintaining the selling rate district level, for more price rise in the open market the so as to control the market. The price are A’s effective intervention in P Government of Kerala took so many steps same and stable for the last one and half by including ML to intervene in the market very effectively year in the State. By the above measures, to control price rise. During the previous representative of Locals Selfetc. the turn over of Supplyco for 2007-08 is financial year Government sanctioned Rs. Rs1256 crore which is up by 196 crore of Governemnt, NGO’ 20 Crore as revolving fund for market previous year. Steps are beingel committees. taken to form intervention to the Kerala State Civil Six mobile Maveli Stores were started Taluk lev Supplies Corporation (Supplyco). Onam during one year. Nearly 300 outlets Metro People Bazar, Town People Bazar, including ARD Sabari Stores have been Onam markets, Onam Mini fair and 140 started functioning under Civil Supplies Onam markets in every constituency of Corporation. the State were conducted in addition to We are running Maveli Medical stores the existing outlets of Supplyco. These also. On medicines we are providing

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discount upto 30per cent. As a welfare Konni in district. 35 acres measure from a progressive Government; of land were provided for the purpose and a discount of 50per cent is offered on inauguration of the project office is made To prevent the entry of Chikungunea medicines. by Hon’ble Minister Sri Subhodh Kanth Multinational/National The Civil Supplies Corporation issued Sahai, Government of India have provided companies in the retail instructions for replacement of items, Rs. 2.5 Crore for the above project. sector and to provide all purchased by customers if there is any Government have decided to issue facilities according to the complaint. In case a customer is not laminated ration cards to seventy lakh modern trends in the satisfied, the refund of amount on return families, affixing photographs of the head market, it is proposed to of commodity is also permitted. of the family. Segregation of AP L - BP L start four hyper markets To prevent the entry of Multinational/ families is to be completed by Local Self National companies in the retail sector and Government Department. New Ration in Thiruvananthapuram, to provide all facilities according to the Cards will be issued on completion of BP Ernakulam, modern trends in the market, it is proposed L List. and with all to start four hyper markets in To prevent diversion of LPG a number modern facilities at Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam of discussions were arranged with Oil global standard. Kottayam and Thalassery with all modern company authorities and distributors and facilities at global standard. Administrative open forum are held at district level under sanction for all the four projects has already supervision of District Collector to constituting consumer protection been given.In accordance with the change solve problems of LPG consumers then commission, District Consumer Protection in the food habits of Keralites, the Civil and there. Trucks containing LPG are Forums and Councils more efficient. Supplies Corporation is distributing allowed to pass through the check post Animal Husbandry fortified atta instead of raw wheat at very through green channel in consultation During the tenure of LDF low price. So many private companies are with taxes Department to prevent shortage. Government 27.46 lakhs cattles were selling atta (non fortified) at an exorbitant Consumer Affairs price. It has been come to the notice of the vaccinated against foot and mouth disease Consumer Affairs Department is under ‘Goraksha Programme’ Agricultural Government that these private companies intended to protect the consumers from are looting consumers. So it is decided to Training Centres were started in unfair trade practice. But due to Thalayolaprambu in distribute fortified atta all over Kerala, at inefficiency of the UDF government the the rate of Rs. 11/- per Kg. and in . 751akhs department was bringing difficulties to the chicken and 7 lakh ducks were vaccinated To make use of modern trends in food consumers. Stringent actions were taken against Vasantha, 901akh chickens and 7 research, an institute with a plan outlay of by the LDF government to rewarm lakh ducks are expected to be covered Rs. 70 Crore is proposed to be started at consumers affairs department by under this programme. Under the insurance scheme goraksha two lakh cattles in Palakkad and Alleppy districts insured A farmer need to spare Rs. 100/- to insure a cattle for Rs.1 0,000. Steps are being taken to increase turkey farming all over the State. Turkey farm at Kurippuzha renovated. It is decided to start 50 turkey units per district. Cattle feeds at subsidized rate were distributed among 21,000 calfs, under ‘Calf Protection Scheme ‘. 200 Calf Clinic were conducted Cattle feed and insurance coverage are made available during the year to 15000 calves. A lab with NABL accreditation will be started at for testing meat products to be exported with an expenditure of Rs. 3 crore. Cattle Census- 18h five year cattle census completed in the State by October 2007. Steps are being taken to consolidate the data.

Always committed to arrest the price rise by timely intervention in the market Contd. on page 31

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From page 25 production of the state has increased to runs in profit. Production and Sale offrozen Successful 20.04 lakh MTs during 2006-07. semen has been increased. Started supplying semen to Tamil Nadu for its The Government has also initiated Achievements entire requirement. The Board has started steps to promote fodder cultivation on a semen supply to Sikkim. Obtained ISO Kerala State Poultry Development large scale. During 2006-07 1640 hector Corporation 22000 Certification to Mattupetty Semen of land was newly brought under fodder Bank and State Seed Laboratory Kerala State Poultry Development cultivation and 8,000 farmers were Certification to Dhoni Fodder Seed Corporation has started for augmentory assisted to take up Azola cultivation as a Laboratory. Ksheeradhara Project launched poultry production in Kerala and to keep source of feed to their cattle. the sector more vibrant. It couldn’t achieve through which high value semen is During the last one year 64 new the objectives as envisaged at the time of distributed at subsidized rate to high primary Co-operatives were registered formation of this organization. During the producing cows in the state. Implemented across the state assuring a ready market and last two years of its functioning, the Gosurakha Project to insure cattles of steady price to the dairy farmers. activities has been diversified with Palakkad and Alappuzha at low premium corporation taking up both the forward rate. Construction of Model Livestock and backward linkages to strengthen this Village at Mattupetty is nearing final stage. sector. KSP DC is now the implementing Animal tissue culture project with Sree agency for step L step IL SGSY (Special), Chithra Institute for production of Heart RSVY and Flagship projects assumed at During the last one Valves is in progress. Launched Traceable augmentory egg production and year 64 new primary Meat named “Mattupetty Premium Beef’ Initiated action for import of Semen, providing marginal income to the weaker Co-operatives were sections. Nearly 30000 women Embryo and bulls from abroad. beneficiaries were associated with backyard registered across the Distribution of 37.5 MT of fodder seeds poultry units which has resulted not only state assuring a ready to 24 states in India under Government in gainful employment of them but also market and steady of India Central Minikit Programme has to gain marginal income and there by price to the dairy been started. helps in eliminating poverty to some farmers. Legal Metrology extent. Kerala Legal Metrology Department The Corporation is running a poultry is another portfolio under me which take meat plant at Petta for supplying quality care of the interest of consumers in respect poultry meat to the consumer at reasonable Dairy Farmers Welfare Fund of weight and measure of items sold. price. The broiler breeding farm at The Government also introduced a Enforcement officers of this department Kudappanakunnu has been restarted, feed new Bill forming a Dairy Farmers Welfare make frequent inspection of factories, Oil mixing plant has been installed at Fund Board for providing old age pension pumps, retail and whole sale shops to see Kottiyam, supply to eggs to school to dairy farmers over 60 years of age, this that the equipments used for weighing and children has begun. The egg production has provided immense relief to the aged measuring are properly sealed by the has increased by 1.98 crores during last dairy farmers and also attracted new Department as per rules in force. In 2006- year and this year it is expected that 5 crores farmers to the field of dairying. Along with 07 financial year 6940 cases have been of eggs can be produced additionally. In pension other welfare schemes have also registered and an amount of Rs. 22829430 short poultry Development Corporation envisaged in the welfare fund. At present has been fined. To improve the efficiency will intensify the activities in the coming 1.7 lakh farmers have been enrolled in this of the department offices at the District year for the betterment of the poultry scheme and 21021 dairy farmers are being level have been computerised. farmers in the state and will provide a new given a monthly pension of Rs.250/-. A Tanker lorry calibration unit at Kollam face to the poultry sector in Kerala. The Dairy Development Department is expected to be started very soon. A new Dairy Development Department has enforced strict quality control of milk building will be constructed by incurring an Ever since this Government comes into being marketed in the state especially amount of Rs. 751akh. All the officers of the power various steps were initiated to during the festival season and there by Department are given inservice training, in addition to seminar, work shops to equip increase milk production and attain self ensuring safety of the consumers. All these them to the modern requirement. A mobile sufficiency in milk production and attain steps initiated by the Government have weigh bridge verification unit up to 10 tonnes self sufficiency in milk. The induction of made the dairy sector of Kerala vibrant weight is expected to be allotted to the high yielding cross bred cows into the state and we hope to achieve self sufficiency in Department under centrally sponsored under the schemes “Pasugrammam” and milk production by 2010. scheme. By this project correctness of all Milk Shed Development Project has Kerala Live Stock Development Board weigh bridges that are in use through out started yielding results. The milk Kerala Livestock Development Board Kerala can be tested.

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he TECOM has agreed to set up the Smart City in accordance with conditions proposed by the Left Democratic Front. Kerala’s prestigious Info Park would remain with State. And there is no condition of exclusivity.T That means there is no bar to permit new IT ventures in and around Kochi. Smart City project is an indication of Kerala’s changed industrial scenario. Vision High Yielding

he Government firmly believe that they at achieving these two objectives. While we are able to make the State into an endeavour for rapid industrialisation, our emphasis Tinvestor-friendly destination within a will be on social objectives. We are committed to short span of time. Industrialists and ensuring fair wages to employees. entrepreneurs within the State and outside will I am happy to say that the Government has recognize the change of attitude of the received firm offers of industrial investment to the Government and its pro-active policies. Investors tune of Rs. 20,000 crore from private sector. The are keen to invest in Kerala if the Government is Shobha Developers Limited, a renowned able to provide basic infrastructure. The allegation infrastructure developer, owned by P.N.C. Menon, that Kerala is a place of labour unrest has been has decided to set up a hi-tech city in Kochi with disproved. an investment to the tune of Rs. 5,000 crore. Elamaram Kareem The based TECOM is in the process According to the promoters, the project would Minister for Industries of a setting up a Smart City in Kochi to provide generate as many as 75,000 jobs. and Commerce world-class infrastructure for information The Government have signed an MoU with technology industries. The TECOM has agreed the Construction Industry Development Board, to set up the Smart City in accordance with , to set up new generation industries at conditions proposed by the Left Democratic Kinaloor in Kozhikode district. It is expected that Front. Kerala’s prestigious Info Park would remain the proposed project would offer 25, 000 jobs. with the State. And there is no condition of The Grasim Industries Limited has informed its exclusivity. That means there is no bar to permit willingness to set up modern industries at Mavoor new IT ventures in and around Kochi. Smart in Kozhikode, where Birla’s Pulp and Fibre unit City project is an indication of Kerala’s changed existed. The Government is examining the industrial scenario. proposal. Taking advantage of the investor-friendly Major industrial hosues in the coutnry are keen atmosphere we have to attain economic growth to have their units in Kerala for obvious reasons: and to create job opportunities in a big way. The Kerala is free from labour unrest; availability of industrial policy of the LDF Government aims high skilled labour; favourable climate; availability

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Missile speed to Industries: V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, handing over the key of KELTC to A.K Antony, Union Minister for Defence, for setting up BrahMos Missile factory at Thiruvananthapuram. of quality power and water; excellent air, because of recurring losses. The company PSUs are evaluating on monthly basis in rail and road connectivity; pro-active is now on the path of growth and the presence of the Minister for Industries. policies of the Government. diversification. Production of energy The Government have decided that Public Sector metres has gone upto 1.5 lakh a month PSUs under various departments cooperate Public Sector industires in the State from 18,000. What is noteworthy is that each other, mainly in procurement. The have made an amazing turnaround during PSUs have achieved the growth without KSEB is buying the entire energy metres the last two years. It has been proved that infusing fresh capital. What the produced by the UEI. The KSEB is our public sector units are capable of government did was professionalising the purchasing cables from the State-owned competitng with the private sector management and close monitoring. Trade Traco Cable, TELK- and Kerala provided management is made efficient Unions are wholeheartedly supporting the Electrical and Allied Engineering and employees are motivated. Twenty-six efforts of the Government to run the PSUs Company. Cooperation among public units under the Department of Industries in an efficient manner. Stringent measures sector companies is unprecedented. have registered profit during 2007-08. are on to curb corruption. Performance of Tie-ups with Central public sector Performance of PSUs with regard to giants with a view to strengthen State PSUs production, sales turnover and have made encouraging results. The productivity is also noteworthy. During BrahMos Aerospace has acquired Kerala 2006-07, production of public sector Indian Railways has Hi-Tech Industries in Thiru industries under the Department of already decided to vananthapuram. The company has been Industries has touched the figure of manufacture renamed as BrahMos Aerospace Rs.2000 crore. It is evident from the figures Thiruvananthapuram. The BrahMos, a that the PSUs have been playing a components of wagon joint venture of India and Russia to significant role in shaping our economy. bogey in collaboration produce supersonic cruise missiles, has The Malabar Spinning and Weaving with the State-owned plans to invest in Thiruvananthapuram Mills, one of the companies that shut down Autokast at Cherthala. in a big way. The joint venture between during the former UDF regime, was Steel Authority of the National Thermal Power Corporation reopened. It shows our commitment India, the largest steel and TELK, Angamaly, has been towards public sector. The Government is producer of India, has operational. implementing a Rs.12 crore project to Indian Railways has already decided modernise the mill. The Government has decided to have joint venture with Steel to manufacture components of wagon also decided to revive bogey in collaboration with the State- Spinning Mill in Thiruvananthapuram. Complex Limited, owned Autokast at Cherthala. Steel The success story of United Electrical Kozhikode. Authority of India, the largest steel Industries, Kollam, is really amazing. The producer of India, has decided to have joint UEI was one of the units listed for closure venture with Steel Complex Limited,

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¦ The TECOM has agreed to set up the Smart City in accordance with conditions proposed by the A high level business delegation from abroad visiting Elamaram Kareem, Minister for Government;Info Park will remain with Industries and Commerce. the State ¦ Firm offers of industrial investment Kozhikode. The State Government and The Government have chalked out an to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore from the SAIL would have equal stake in the action plan to diversify Dinesh Beedi, the private sector joint venture. The SAIL is expected to largest cooperative in the State. The ¦ Signed MoU with the Construction make an investment to the tune of Rs.200 Government allotted Rs four crore for Industry Development Board, crore to modernise the Steel Complex, the diversification. The Beedi Cooperative has Malaysia, to set up new generation only public sector steel-making unit in now entered into the field of garment industries at Kinaloor in Kozhikode Kerala. A rolling mill with an investment making and food processing. A scheme to ¦ The BrahMos Aerospace has acquired of Rs.50 crore would be set up there as a modernise bamboo sector with Central Kerala Hi-Tech Industries measure to make the factory a viable assistance is being implemented with a ¦ Government allotted Rs four crore for venture. The Government is also making view to generate more employment and diversification of Dinesh Beedi, the efforts for tie-up between the State-owned to ensure higher wages for the existing largest cooperative in the State . Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering workers. limited (KEL) and the Bharat Heavy The Government is aware that small Electricals Limited (BHEL). scale industries are providing largest While making concerted and earnest number of jobs. The Government has efforts to attract private investment, the taken a number of initiatives to promote Government is determined to promote our small scale sector. traditional industries and make them Scarcity of land and lack of world-class competitive through modernisation. We infrastructure are the main disadvantages have taken imaginative steps to revive of Kerala. The Government wants to handloom and khadi sectors. Handloom overcome these barriers. The industrial The Government is and khadi uniforms have been introduced policy promises a land bank to provide aware that small in schools as part of the efforts to explore land for genuine investors. The INKEL new markets. Sales turnover of handloom was formed with private participation to scale industries are clothes have increased manifold. create world-class infrastructure. providing largestThe number of jobs. Government has taken a number of initiatives to promote small scale sector.

V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, inaugurating the project of Smart City at Kochi

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erala is widely accepted as a labour-friendly State. Redressal of the genuine grievances of labourers is most essential for ensuring a decent livelihood to them, social K harmony, industrial prosperity and growth of the economy. There is genuine concern and commitment from the part of this Government to protect the interests of labour class and promotion of their welfare. Labour Peaceful Adamant Excise

hen the LDF Government assumed of the working class. power, the State Economy in general The labour Department is the statutory agency Wand Labour sector in particular were to bring about and keep up harmonious relation in total disarray. Earnest efforts were taken to in industrial establishments. Effective enforcement overcome the situation. Most of the programmes of labour laws and labour welfare schemes is the implemented in the Department are aimed at prerequisite for the maintenance of harmonious the welfare of the working class, especially those relations and creation of an intact atmosphere for from the traditional sector. sustained developments and investments. Labour The Labour Commissionerate provides the Kerala is widely accepted as a labour-friendly required support to the State Government in State. Redressal of the genuine grievances of solving the variety of problems confronted by the labourers is most essential for ensuring a decent workforce of the State. P.K. Gurudasan livelihood to them, social harmony, industrial The Industrial Relation Committees (IRCs) Minister for Labour and Excise prosperity and growth of the economy. There is functioning in the State as Joint Consultative genuine concern and commitment from the part bodies have been considered as an outstanding of this Government to protect the interests of contribution of Kerala to the country. During the labour class and promotion of their welfare. The LDF regime the minimum wages of workers of view that labourers in Kerala are an irritant factor several unorganised/organised sectors are ensured posing a constraint on investment is totally either through Minimum Wages Committees or baseless. The above propaganda has been by Gazette Notifications as advised by Minimum unleashed by certain interested quarters who Wages Advisory Committees. The State want to push back our State in the matter of Government is taking all efforts for the welfare of industrial progress and thereby isolate the the migrant workers and steps are taken to enforce working people. the provisions of the Inter State Migrant Workmen Our aim is quality production, maximum (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of production and better productivity. We always Service) Act, 1979. stand for the protection of the legitimate rights There are instances of Child Labour in the

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P.K Gurudasan, Minister for Excise, flagging off the two wheelers allotted to excise officials. State. Child labour in the State is mainly welfare pension will be enhanced to Government lost no time in initiating an offshoot of migrant labour. Effective Rs.200. Our objective is to be bring all discussions with the trade unions as well steps are being taken to stop this evil sections of workers under one or other as the owners of the estates with a view to practice. welfare scheme. re-open the estates and factories. Several The Department of Factories & Boilers Plantation sector concessions were given by the State is the Statutory Authority to ensure safety, Kerala is one of the very few States in Government by way of waiving of health and welfare of factory workers and the country where practically almost all minimum demand charges, on electricity, the general public living in the vicinity of types of plantation crops are grown. At plantation taxes, Agricultural income tax factories by implementing relevant laws. the time of assumption of office by the etc. Welfare activities were also undertaken to assist the starving workers. Relief The Kerala Institute of Labour and LDF Ministry the sector was in deep crisis. measures were undertaken through the Employment (KILE), an autonomous The worst affected were tea plantations. Plantation Workers Relief Committees. body constituted by the State 22 tea estates including 17 major Financial assistance to the tune of Rs. one Government, is performing with a plantations were closed and thousands of crore has been given for the repair of the prominent role in conducting training labourers were rendered jobless leading to layams of workers. Rs. 2.98 crores was programmes, workshops and seminars on major social and economic problems. Our allotted for providing drinking water and labour related subjects, training to the electrification to the plantation workers in departmental officers and other Peerumede Taluk. A revival package has stakeholders of industry. been prepared and submitted to the The Overseas Development and The Overseas Government of India and exerted pressure Employment Promotion Consultants Ltd. Development and on them to intervene in the crisis. As a (ODEPC) is the only recruiting agency in result of the efforts made so far by the the Government sector deploys Indian Employment Promotion State Government and Government of manpower to foreign countries. It is also India, 10 major tea gardens were re- doing well in the field of travel agency. Consultants Ltd. opened. The Central Government has also The various labour welfare pensions (ODEPC) is the only approved a scheme for the re plantations were in huge arrears when the present recruiting agency in and rejuvenation of the tea gardens. “As Government assumed power. Steps were the Government part of these Rs. 3.44 Lakh per hectare taken to clear the arrears. As a first step, sector deploys Indian was sanctioned for the replanting of the twelve months’ pension in lump was manpower to foreign tea gardens. Steps have been initiated by disbursed to the beneficiaries under Government of India to take over the various schemes. It is the firm resolve of countries. It is also doing well in the field remaining closed tea gardens by invoking the Government to clear the arrears of section 16 (E) of the tea act for which also welfare pensions and also to enhance the of travel agency. we had our own contribution. same. In this year’s budget speech, it was Cashew declared that the monthly amount of Cashew Industry is one of the

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traditional industries in the State, which provides employment to more than three lakhs workers. In order to revive the For the promotion of industry several measures have been adopted by the Government. The the Cashew Industry, minimum wages of the cashew workers Cashew’ Special Office were revised with effect from January was established with 2007. Headquarters at

¦ Peaceful atmosphere in labour For the promotion of the Cashew Kollam. One of the sector through friendly Industry, Cashew Special Office was major problems facing employee-employer established with headquarters at Kollam. the industry is shortage relationship One of the major problems facing the of raw cashew’ nuts. industry is shortage of raw cashew nuts. Over the years the ¦ Strengthening of the Over the years the production of raw enforcement sector, which cashew nuts has come down considerably. production of raw implements the Labour Acts cashew nuts has come In order to overcome the situation . ¦ Passed Kerala Shops and Government have constituted an agency down considerably Commercial Establishment namely Kerala State Agency for Cashew Labourers Welfare Act; Cultivation (KSACC) for expanding the benefited to 10 lakh labourers area of cashew cultivation. Government of the country. Due to the pressure of the have sanctioned Rs.50 lakhs to the agency ¦ Passed Small Plantation LDF Government the Central Labourers Welfare Act and it has taken a concerted effort to Government and ESI Corporation have undertake cashew cultivation. The taken steps to implement the ESI Scheme ¦ Increased Rs.200 per month in KSACC have already signed a MoD with most effectively in the State. This all welfare pensions the Kerala Farming Corporation for joint Government has taken steps to include ¦ All the tea plantations except cultivation of cashew in 229 ha. of land additional 1.25 lakhs of beneficiaries under eight, opened and started owned by the Corporation. the purview of the Scheme. functioning; of them 22 were In this connection it is worth Another important achievement of the closed for a long time mentioning that in the State budget for Government is the decision taken to extend 2008 - 09 Rs. one crore has been ESI scheme to the employees of medical earmarked for promoting cashew institutions and teaching and non- cultivation. There is also an assurance on teaching staffs of the unaided schools and the part of the Central Government to institutions. sanction adequate amount for the With the help of the ESI Corporation expansion of the Cashew cultivation. we have already formulated a plan to ESI construct buildings to the ESI dispensaries, Government reiterates its ESI is the largest social security Scheme which are now functioning in rented commitment to pursue its efforts even more vigorously to educate the poor and economically weaker sections about the harmful effects of liquor. In this regard, the Government would harness the co-operation of political parties, trade union organisations, Kudumbasree, voluntary organisations etc.

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P.K Gurudasan, Minister for Labour, inaugurating the training on the overseas job prospects for nurses buildings. Adequate measures have been taken to the requirements of the present day. An We have already approached the prevent such illegal activities. Government expert Committee has already been Central Government and the ESI is fully aware of the novel methods of constituted under the chairmanship of Corporation with a request to establish a operation of the liquor mafia and the former Excise Commissioner and medical college at in Kollam department has been fully equipped to Additional Chief Secretary J. district. The response is very encouraging. meet the challenges posed by them. The Lalithambika, to study and suggest the If materialised, the same, will be the first Government would further strengthen the amendments required in the Abkari Act ESI Medical College in the country. . enforcement wing by employing and Rules and also to suggest measures to Industrial Training Department additional work force and -providing new contain the menace of spurious liquor. A Technical Committee has also been With the advancement of technology vehicles and equipments like pistols, constituted to study and report the the requirement of skilled workers mobile phones, wireless sets etc in a phased chemical composition of Toddy so as to increased. But majority of our job seekers manner. Computerisation of the various facilitate the detection of artificial toddy. lack skill training. la addition to the five Excise Offices is already underway. ITIs which were upgraded during the Government proposes to amend the Government reiterates its commitment tenure of the previous Government, LDF Abkari Act and Rules so as to cope up with to pursue its efforts even more vigorously Government upgraded nine ITIs in the to educate the poor and economically State as Centres of Excellence. A decision weaker sections about the harmful effects was also taken to upgrade seven other ITIs of liquor. In this regard, the Government into first grade ITIs. For several years no would harness the co-operation of political parties, trade union organisations, For several years no new ITIs have been new ITIs have been Kudumbasree, voluntary organisations started in the State. Now we have received started in the State. etc. representation for starting 47 new ITIs Now we have It gives me great satisfaction to note where land, building and furniture are received made available by the local bodies. New that the efforts of the Labour and Excise ITIs will be established in as much places representation for departments during the last two years in as possible. starting 47 new ITIs solving the variety of issues confronting Excise where land, building the workers especially those in the Cashew and Plantation sectors have yielded The Government is fully committed and furniture are positive results. I take this opportunity to to eradicating illicit distillation, made available by the express my sincere gratitude to all those transportation, possession and sale of illicit local bodies. who have extended cooperation and liquor, non-duty paid IMFL and support to the Government in their preventing its smuggling from other States. endeavour.

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ommunity policing which is being implemented in the State under the title Janamaithri Suraksha Padhathi is the embodiment of the idea of popular police. As a first step, the Janamaithri project activities are conducting inC the areas coming under 17 police stations. Police People Friendly

one are the couple of years that marked people friendly were fruitful. Community policing progress in every sphere of life. We could which is being implemented in the State under Gmake quantum leap in basic the title Janamaithri Suraksha Padhathi is the infrastructure development, agriculture, industry, embodiment of the idea of people’s police. As a public health and welfare activities as we first step, the Janamaithri project is launched under witnessed a quite harmonious atmosphere. The the jurisdiction of 17 police stations. Activities such studies conducted by India Today and others as night patrolling, women’s vigil committees, disclosed the fact that Kerala stands first in school vigil committees, free legal help, traffic maintaining law and order. The LDF warden system, voluntary force for mishaps etc. Government have come into power before the by associating all resident associations, local self Kodiyeri Balakrishnan fire and tear of riots including Marad drained government institutions, social and cultural Minister for Home, out. That was a horrifying period when murders organisations and educational institutions are Vigilance and Tourism and attacks were celebrated by the hooligans as implementing as part of community policing. I their right. We stepped out from the fright that gratefully bear in mind the appreciations and offers Kerala might be tapped in the clutches of of help extended by opposition parties, media and underworld, to the present state where even a cultural leaders to this venture that is hailed as a hapless layman feels the confidence of protection. role model to the entire country. This is the victory, definitely of solidarity; the Government have taken stringent actions to victory achieved jointly by a determined control the goonda and mafia gangs who kept the government, an effective police force and the State under their clutches. A stern law has been people who render timely contribution to ensure introduced and all mafias like cutthroat money law and order. lending, sand mining, rent collection, CD, For the last two years, the activities to shift destroyers of environment were brought under it. the police, which had been considered as the The new Bill introduced by the LDF Government torturing instrument of the administration, into is entirely different and flawless from the Goonda

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V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, flagging off the two wheeler police patrol team of Janamaithri Suraksha Scheme. Act of the earlier government meant for State as part of modernisation. 150 police Cell has turned around as the best centre destroying political opponents and leaders stations have been computerised and in the country to handle high-tech crimes of movements. An advisory committee computer training has been given to police by finding clues for many complicated headed by Justice K.J. Dinesan has been officials. Modern data centre with wireless crimes. Considering all these, Central aid formulated for implementing this law. The system has been installed in for Rs. three crore has been offered for Advisory Committee has given recognition Thiruvananthapuram. To smarten the establishing a cyber centre of national to the imprisonment of 80 individuals police directorates and stations, an amount standard in Thiruvananthapuram. from those taken into custody under the of Rs.11 crore has been spent. To make The Kerala Police Academy at Thrissur, Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Law. crime investigation scientific, forensic lab which gives first class training to the police, A comprehensive legal revision has has been strengthened by giving modern could be brought to the National been introduced for revising the police instruments like DNA fingerprint, attention. More than three thousand force and for making it more efficient. polygraph, spectroscope, chromatograph persons have been recruited into the police Through this, the limitations of the etc. Cyber crime graph is ascending in force. Steps have taken to fill the vacancies outdated police law have been overcome. national level itself. Our high-tech Crime in the police force without time lag. The Crime investigation and maintaining law present system for recruitment is time and order have been detached and consuming so that it is decided to report implemented in Thiruvananthapuram, Government have taken all anticipatory vacancies each year to the Kochi and Kozhikode with the new stringent action to PSC. amendment in the law. It is intended to The Government gives top priority in implement this system in other cities along control the goonda and mafia gangs who held the welfare measures of the police force. with the strengthening of police force. The There existed a situation in which a working hours of the police officials has Kerala in their hands till constable retired decades later in the same been fixed. The State Security Council two years back. For that rank. This pathetic situation has been formulated by including Leader of a stern law has been solved by giving head constable grade to Opposition is an ideal example for the lofty introduced. All mafias the constables who completed 15 years of democratic consciousness of the like blade, sand, rent service and ASI grade to the head constables Government. A Complaint Authority to collection, CC, who completed 23 years of service. The scrutinise complaints against police has policemen who take guard duty in police been formed. It has power equal to civil destroyers of environment etc. were stations are armoured with revolvers court and will protect confidential nature instead of riffle. Eight-hour duty system of the complaint. brought under the implemented in 17 police stations is now Comprehensive projects have been purview of this law. being introduced in more stations. A envisaged and implemented for the mechanism has been introduced to computerisation of police stations in the dispose the complaints of police personnel.

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¦ People friendly police; launched Janamaithri Suraksha Scheme to improve law and order situation with the cooperation of people

¦ Complaint authority to settle the complaints about the police force Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Minister for Home, after distributing two wheelers to women ¦ Grade Promotion to police police constables. personnel; eight hours duty

¦ Responsible tourism for reaching New quarters have been built for the employees of the the benefit of tourism to native constables and officers. Thiruvananthapuram Fire Station. people Kerala Police has become the best Identity Cards were issued to employees of Fire and Rescue Service. ¦ 20 per cent increase in tourist investigation agency in India by solving arrivals lots of complicated cases. The fruitful Kerala became a super brand in the investigation conducted in the Chelambra global tourism industry with high rate of ¦ Rs.12,000 crore’s revenue income; bank burglary, which is the biggest in such growth. This achievement is the outcome Rs.1000 crore’s yearly investment type in Kerala, is a shining example for the of the successful blending of public and in the tourism sector investigative talent of Kerala Police. The private sectors. Investment to the tune of vigilant raids conducted against terrorist Rs.1000 crore and earnings to the tune of activities could save the State a lot. Rs.12,000 could be materialised. There Government have taken steps to open registered a hike of 20 per cent turn out in new jails, taking into account the existing foreign tourists than in the previous year. jam-packed ones. The Cheemeni Open Jail To bring down the fruits of tourism to the where a new building, closed for years and local people, the Government introduced Chittoor – Hosdurg sub jails have been opened. Sufficient staff strength has been allotted for all these three jails. It is estimated that 370 prisoners can be shifted Kerala Police has become to these jails. Government have decided the best investigation to build a new central jail also. In all jails, For developing tourism in village level, ‘My village agency in India by solving half of the occupants are under trial prisoners. They are forced to stay in jails Tourism Friendly Village’ lots of complicated cases. for long due to the delay in trials. Video programme has been The fruitful investigation conducted in the y, conferencing is introduced in this context. implemented. In order to Around Rs. 52 lakh has been spent for promote the dying out Chelambra bank burglar video conferencing connecting genuine art forms, in which is the biggest one Thiruvananthapuram Central Jail, District about one thousand Kerala has ever seen, is a Jail and Sub Jail with the courts stages, a programme crowning example for the at Vanchiyoor, , investigative talent of Nedumangadu and Attingal. Steps have ‘Utsav’ has been started. Kerala Police. taken for amending Criminal Procedure The Rs.250 crore Code in order to empower video International Convention conferencing. A committee has been Centre in constituted to revise Jail Law. 104 prisoners Thiruvananthapuram is who completed 14 years of imprisonment on the pipeline. have been released. Fire Force gets new vigour. A rest house has been built spending Rs.22 lakh for

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responsible tourism. As a first step, have started to establish a separate responsible tourism is being introduced corporation for the tourism infrastructure in the four important tourism centres development. By realising the importance Kovalam, Thekkadi, Kumarakam and Government have of coastal areas in the development of Wayanad. It ensures market for the taken vigilant tourism, 22 projects have been formulated indigenous products and opens job interventions against for the basic infrastructure development opportunities. The responsible tourism, corruption which of the region. Steps have also taken to which is implemented by affiliating the prepare master plan for the development employees of various departments like spreads as cancer of Munnar. The successful Grand Kerala Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Tourism amongst employee Shopping Festival is meant for blending level and in the Local Self Government etc. and non . For trade and tourism. governmental organisations in broader common society Government have made vigilant sense, is a unique example for good this, the basic amenities interventions against corruption which governance. of Vigilance spreads as cancer amongst employees as For developing tourism at village level, Department have well as the society. For this, the basic ‘My Village Tourism Friendly Village’ increased. amenities of Vigilance Department have programme has been introduced. To increased. Since the Vigilance system promote the vanishing art forms, a should be an independent body, it has programme ‘Utsav’ for about thousand been freed from outside interference. Steps stages has been started. International have taken to build court complexes in Convention Centre to the tune of Rs.250 Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam. crore is in the pipeline in Marina project has started in Kochi. The The past two years of tremendous Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala House in Sarovaraam dream project, which was in activities fill me with great satisfaction. The has been inaugurated and the the red tape, could be materialised. A Left Democratic Front could be able to construction in is going on. The tourist information centre has opened at stand hand in hand with the laymen and encouragement given to souvenir industry Kolkatta and another one will soon be the suffering people. The Left Democratic is very much helpful to traditional started at Mysore. It has been decided to Front Government could face the industrial labourers and handicraft workers. give 50 per cent rooms in all guest houses developmental problems of the State in Wayside inns have been launched at to the public. the right direction and could lead the land important spots for the convenience of For the first time in the history, the ahead. But this is not the last stop. We tourists. Administrative sanction has been returns of KTDC has surmounted above have to go ahead much more. That journey accorded to 250 new tourism projects and Rs.60 crores. Bakel tourism project got continues with stern decision, will and bagged 21 Central tourism projects. new life by consistent intervention. Steps increased public support.

Kodiyeri Balakrishanan, Minister for Tourism, inaugurating the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival.

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he Public Works Department will give leadership to formulate a comprehensive policy clearly in the road development field by seriously taking into account the T increasing need, and the possibilities and situations of Kerala.

Works Resumed Vision Comprehensive

uccessful measures are being taken under special programme is being worked out by the the leadership of Left Democratic Front Government. In the same manner, a special SGovernment in Public Works Department programme has been chalked out to ensure roads so as to make its functioning effective and people with better standard. beneficiary. Priority has been given to Accomplishing remarkable progress in the road maintenance works of the roads, which come development area is the need of the hour. The under the Public Works Department to make land acquisition for capital city development has them trafficable. been completed upto 95 per cent. Constructional Government could solve issues relating to activities have started according to new agreement. road construction and resume works that were By the time various developmental projects of the clogged up by various reasons as in the case of government aiming at the future progress of the Mons Joseph MC Road. KSTP constructional activities have State materialises, a new road network having state Minister for Works again started with a time-bound manner as a new of the art facilities and width should be a reality. project in which various roads in the State where As a first step in this direction, Government have land acquisition has been completed are included. given top priority to the development of national Like way, action plan for completion of highways. For this, Kerala has signed in the State construction works of roads and bridges that have Support Agreement following the discussions with been clogged up for years, in a time- bound Central Government. As the first phase, by manner is in the pipeline. This will be a great developing NH 47 and NH 17 to four lane / six solace and help to the public. lane highways, the road development upto the To find out a permanent solution to the issues national level from Thiruvananthapuram to relating to railway over bridges in various districts, will be materialised. Activities will be the Government have envisaged special projects initiated this year for materialising ‘’, in accordance with the people’s aspirations and a the long cherished dream of farming people of

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MoU is being exchanged in the presence of Mons Joseph, Minister for Works, for the M C Road project. highlands which links the spices centres Project, which includes the binding of re-fixed time to time. Action has taken to of Kerala. Government have also decided betterment of quality standards of roads clear arrears of the contractors in a time to give top priority to the completion of as well as maintenance for five years, will bound manner. The largest amount has coastal roads that would be advantageous be introduced this year, starting from the been issued to the contractors in the Roads to fisheries sectors. Sabarimala roads. Initial activities have and Bridges Division during 2007-08. The number of vehicles is increasing started to make Kerala Highway Research Making it an all time record, Rs.685.95 year after year. As the road network is not Institute and DRIK Board efficient has spent for clearing pending bills from growing proportionately, grave problems enough to take steps, which are beneficial March 2005 to December 2006.To handle nationally and in state level, especially. the hazards of monsoon, an estimate to will happen in traffic scenario. When taken the tune of Rs.21 crore has been approved. into account the future development of Needed steps will be taken to rearrange Effective measures have taken to prevent Kerala, at least the coming 25 years should Roads and Bridges Development Corporation (RBDC) and Kerala State illegal encroachment and ensuring effective be in mind to envisage road development Construction Corporation in order to implementation of Highway Protection activities. The Public Works Department make effective activities in the construction Act effectively. will give leadership to formulate a field. The Government is carrying out many comprehensive policy clearly in the road Since this Government have come to programmes with the sole aim of ‘the development field by seriously taking into power, during the 2007-08 year, modernisation of Public Works account the increasing need, and the Rs.128.46 have been received as subsidy Department. For that the opinions of possibilities and situations of Kerala. from NABARD. In order to continue administrative-political experts sought and Steps have taken to strengthen quality maximum developmental activities, steps discussions have been conducted with control wing to ensure quality in have taken to submit project report to the engineers, contractors and representatives constructional activities and to envisage tune of Rs.500 crore before NABARD. of service organisations. The Public Works global standard for long lasting and The rates for the public works for the Department will take earnest attempts to environmentally suitable road year 2008-09 have been fixed and from implement novel programmes successfully construction activities. Heavy Maintenance now onwards, every year the rates will be by coordinating all these activities.

Mons Joseph, Minister for Works, addressing the contractors of PWD.

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Enthused by public concerns and with a motivated development programme, we took over the task of refurbishing KSRTC enabling it to provide economic and comfortable transportation facility to the common publicE thereby lifting it to an enviable status among other public sector undertakings. On the Road Destination Success

ightly it has been a period of transition buses since the ministry assumed office in May leading to development and prosperity 2006 and introduced 262 new schedules. The Rthat the Transport Department witnessed introduction of ‘Malabar buses’ enabled safe and over the last two years. Amidst complex limitations comfortable journey to the needy in this region. and severe impasse, KSRTC was limping forward KSRTC could achieve a record collection of further to acute financial crisis when the LDF Rs.79.47 crores in January 2008 by effectively re- regime took over. arranging the schedules and introducing new Enthused by public concerns and with a motivated development programme, we took over the task of refurbishing KSRTC enabling it to provide economic and comfortable As part of ensuring road safety, several Mathew T. Thomas transportation facility to the common public thereby lifting it to an enviable status among steps have been taken. Minister for Transport, Printing and Stationery other public sector undertakings. It was, of course, The Kerala Road a formidable challenge. But the sweating proved Safety Authority Act smoothening during the succeeding years when passed by the it began to show real spikes of bettering buds. legislature and Resorting to purchase of chassis through formation of a Road Open Tender was a bold and effective attempt to save the corporation. It is an indicative of the Safety Fund are major strong anti-corruption policy of the land marks. Following Government. Besides, KSRTC returned to body this, a number of building works at its own workshops, after an Road Safety awareness interval of seven years. This is a major step in the programmes were path of development. The Corporation thus conducted. enjoys a comfortable financial gain of Rs.2.50 lakh/bus by these effective measures. So far KSRTC has put on road 606 new

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¦ For the first time in the Mathew T. Thomas, Minister for Transport, inaugurating the computerised counters history of KSRTC, bus at RTO Office, Thiruvananthapuram. purchase through open tenders; profit of Rs.1.5 lakh incentive scheme. per bus As part of the LDF policy of solving unemployment among the youth, 5000 fresh appointments were done through PSC during the last two years. With a view to ¦ Created record by building increase the non-operating income, steps are afoot to construct new 30 shopping 606 bus bodies in KSRTC complexes on BOT basis, through KTDFC, which will be constructed on viable workshops places. The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of such a debut attempt having an ¦ 20 new AC buses for inter- estimated cost of Rs.30 crores at Angamaly on April 26, 2008. state transport The implementation of FAST (Fully Automated Services of Transport Department) ¦ Shopping complex of Rs.30 is a major achievement as far as the Motor Vehicles Department is concerned. The crore at Angamali bus station project has helped the department to render services speedily and transparently. To with the cooperation of enhance the convenience to the public for availing various services of the department, KTDFC; action for building 50 any-counter-any-service system has been introduced recently in some of the RT Offices. such shopping complexes As part of ensuring road safety, several steps have been taken. The Kerala Road throughout the State Safety Authority Act passed by the legislature and formation of a Road Safety Fund are major land marks. Following this, a number of Road Safety awareness programmes ¦ More buses in Malabar sector were conducted during the last year. ¦ More than five thousand Web enabled services of Motor vehicles department has been recently introduced appointments through PSC (www.keralamvd.gov.in). The public will be at liberty to retrieve the database of the department . The Web Site also provides information on a variety of items related to Motor Vehicles department which are often required by the public, like the licence. registration details. formats, fees particulars etc. Transport Industry has a vital role in the economic development of the state. The functioning of the department can be made more efficient and the public will be y has a benefited by the application of the latest technology. Therefore, considering the need t Industr for a sustained development plan, the industry is being given a holistic view. Transpor The Printing Department has put in a magnificent record by publishing the Gazette vital role in the economic Notification online as a model to the other states to follow the line. development of the state. The functioning of the department can be made more efficient and the public will be benefited by the application of. Therefore, the latest technology considering the need for a sustained development plan, w. the industryholistic is being vie given a

V.S Achuthanandan, Chief minister, flaging off one of the 20 air conditioned KSRTC buses.

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overnment’s decision to collect good paddy at the rate of Rs.10 per kg., the best rate, and to collect all paddy including the damaged has become a blessing to the farmers. GovernmentG have also decided to give Rs.10,000 per ha. for damaged crops.

For a Flourishing Granary

his is certainly an auspicious of farmers as a bolt from the blue, leaving moment the Left Democratic them in deep dismay. Nevertheless, the T Front Government is celebrating relentless and sincere activities of the its second anniversary. The moment when Agriculture Department and the the relentless activities of the LDF Government to extend a helping hand and Government bore fruits, are seen to give compensation to the farmers are everywhere. And, that too is from the unparalleled. The loss to the farmers due circumstances when the farmers of Kerala to the ransacking of the rain which ravaged Mullakkara Ratnakaran were totally insecure and disappointed. the paddy of more than thirty thousand Minister for Agriculture The Government could cease the suicide fields, amounts to crores of rupees. of farmers which was the order of the day Kuttanad, the granary of Kerala and during the UDF regime. The farmer-prone Thrissur, another paddy cultivation approaches of the Government by centre, cultivated in more place than blending will and goal could nurture before. At the time when all were waiting hopes in the minds of farmers. By for a bumper harvest, as the production exercising incessant contact and by efficiency and area of cultivation were extending protection to the farmer so as to more, the unexpected tragedy occurred. conserve agriculture, a new fellowship Government’s decision to collect good could be developed among the farmers paddy at the rate of Rs.10 per kg., the best which reflected in the productivity. The rate, and to collect all paddy including the Government are trying to tide over the damaged has become a blessing to the remaining problems by increasing farmers. Government have also decided agricultural land and by targeting efficiency to give Rs.10,000 per ha. for damaged and versatility in agriculture production. crops. Such grand helps rendered by the The summer rain fell upon thousands Government by waving the existing criteria

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on the suggestions from agricultural adalats and farmers’ meetings, a very attractive agricultural workshop and exhibition of products has been conducted in Ernakulam. For the first time in India, a toll-free system has been introduced to notify the Agriculture Minister about the problems faced by farmers.

Agriculture Debt Relief Commission First in India, an Agriculture Debt Relief Commission started functioning in Kerala to wipe out the tear of the farmers who are in debt trap. The Commission has collected evidences from Idukki and Wayanad districts. Many recommendations to give debt relief to the farmers are being implemented. The recommendation to write off the debts upto the tune of Rs.25,000 in Wayanad is in active consideration of the File to field: Mullakkara Retnakaran, Minister for Agriculture, in an agricultural Government. This Government have field. come into power when there were a lot of suicides of the farmers occurred. Now it are well received by the farmers with great level mahasangamams (great meetings) of has almost ended. solace amidst the stringent feelings of agricultural officers, peoples’ The Agriculture Department has agriculture loss. representatives and farmers were given permission to install rice mills at Thousand vegetable villages conducted in all districts. In the Agri Thakazhi, Alathoor and Vaikkom in order The State is a lame duck as far as Bhavan limitations, local agricultural issues to ensure fair price for paddy and to make vegetable production is concerned. With were discussed and found out solutions. rice available at fair price to the consumers. the aim to cut down the dependency with To discuss and to take necessary decisions They were the same mills that ground to a other states, a comprehensive vegetable halt and were decided to turn into development project, ‘Harithasree,’ has godowns by the UDF Government. The been introduced and successfully inauguration of mill is over and implemented in Idukki district. To spread the other two are nearing the last phase of the success, ‘1000 Vegetable Villages’ With the aim to cut completion. programme will be implemented. Scientific down the dependency Considering the pressing demand of approaches will be taken for the production organic products, Promotion of Organic and sales of vegetables. with other states, a comprehensive Farming Project to the tune of Rs. two One of the grave problems faced by vegetable crore has been implemented. Yields like the agriculture sector of the State is the tomato, plantain, paddy, pineapple etc. are scarcity of trained and experienced skilled development project, included in this scheme. Action is in labourers. To solve this problem, ‘Harithasree,’ has been progress to establish 100 organic villages. Government have decided to start Agro introduced and The Small Scale Storage-Selling Units Polytechnics which will train to work in successfully of Value Added Agricultural Products – agriculture sector, jointly with Kerala implemented in Vision 2010 Project – has given economic To Agricultural University and Agriculture Idukki district. aid to start 183 tender parlours, Department. It is expected that this project 199 outlets and 211 small scale units in will make the new generation interested spread the success, ‘1000 Vegetable order to promote value addition and after in agriculture, create new opportunities for harvest preservation of agricultural the unemployed and will solve the Villages’ programme products. inadequacy of labourers in agriculture will be implemented. Promotion of paddy cultivation section. This Government have implemented To discuss the problems of farmers and many projects by recovering the lost vigour to suggest and implement solutions, district of the paddy cultivation of Kerala. Kerala

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¦ Government to collect good paddy at the rate of Rs 10 per kg

¦ ‘1000 Vegetable Villages’ programme will be implemented

¦ Government to start Agro Polytechnics

¦ Promotion of Organic Farming Project to the tune of Rs. two crore Harvesting time: Mullakkara Retnakaran plucking the fruits at a vegetable garden has been implemented maintained by the school children

¦ Kisansree Suraksha, an insurance is the first state in India to give interest- Kisansree Suraksha Project scheme has come into force. free loan to paddy cultivation. The For the first time in India, the Government have procured paddy to the insurance programme named, Kisansree tune of Rs 10 per kg. Three main paddy Suraksha, has come into practice in Kerala. cultivating regions were declared as No premium has to be paid for this protected areas of paddy cultivation. The prestigious Project which covers five lakh production of paddy has increased and farmers and their families from accidents. farmers are returning to paddy cultivation. Instead, the Government will pay it. This The premium for paddy protection stands as a lighthouse in the ways of insurance has been reduced to half and development of agricultural Kerala. the compensation has been doubled. This Pay Revision, the long term demand Government have fulfilled the long- of Farm labourers, has been implemented. cherished dream of the coconut farmers The largest plantation establishment in by procuring fresh coconut. Owing to this, public sector, PCK has gained Rs.11 crore the price of coconut in the open market net profit last financial year and a new itself has been increased. centrifuging factory has started We can’t ignore the warning that the world is going to face a food crisis. The situation that our country which had once surplus food, is now depending import of food grains, demands a serious thought.

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functioning. The Oil Palm India Ltd. has achieved Rs.12 crore net profit during 2006- 07. The State Farming Corporation realised Rs.13 crore, the highest working profit in its history, last year. The Kerala Agro Mechinery Corporation which produces and sells agricultural machineries has achieved Rs.8.75 crore working profit in the last year. The State Warehousing Corporation will commission one rice mill each Not every footstep in and Alathoor. The Kerafed, which was running in loss to the tune of Rs two crore in the UDF regime, has gained Rs can lead you two crore working profit the last year. Kerafed is the government agency that helps farmers by through the right path collecting fresh . A project under participatory system is envisaging with Oil Palm India for reviving Agro Fruit, the subsidiary company of Agro Industries Corporation. State Horticulture Mission has envisaged projects to the tune of Rs.187.68 crore and has been implementing them. During the last 15 months, Rs.45.73 crore has been issued to farmers as subsidy under various schemes. For the current financial year, National Horticulture Mission has given word of recognition for the projects to the tune of Rs.192.12 crore. The Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council (VFPCK) is working actively in the field of fruit and vegetables. During Onam season, the Council averts the price hike of vegetables by intervening in the market. The Horticorp which also intervenes in the market to ensure fair price in fruit and vegetable selling, has achieved great advantages in the field of honey production. The agency helps to curb price hike in this field by issuing vegetable kits. The Horticorp has a critical role in controlling the price of vegetables in the market during season. We can’t ignore the warning that the world is going to face a food crisis. The situation that our country which had once surplus food, is now depending import of food grains, demands a serious thought. To a country which has the second largest population in the world to feed can’t be otherwise but, ‘food thought is first thought’. To get sufficient food is a human right. The governments have the responsibility to take all necessary steps by utilising the THE AUTHENTIC KERALA resources to the maximum for fulfilling this. Definitely, the Central Government should [email protected] take initiative for this. The State Government is doing all efforts in this direction within its Annual subscription Rs. 80/- limitations. But many of them are depended on the policy decisions of the Central Government. This complicated fact cannot be Send Rs. 80/- as money order to the Director, ignored. Information and Public Relations Department, Secretariat Annexe, Thiruvananthapuram - 1 May 2008 48 KERALA CALLING

lmost all the services are now under the guidance and control of local self governing bodies. We have to increase the quality of service. In the 9th Plan local self governing bodies have built over 3.5 lakh houses. Such aA meticulous effort is still inevitable. With this aim the government has stipulated the EMS Total Housing Scheme to provide houses to those who do not have it. Efficiency theGoal

eoples’ planning is a historic government institutions and their new housing achievement of the Left Democratic schemes are all being coordinated. P Front government in Kerala. Kerala Waste management is another important area provided a model to other states in India in deserving consideration. To coordinate activities disbursing power to local self government different agencies, the Sanitation Mission and institutions and decentralisation of planning. Clean Kerala Mission are clubbed as a single scheme V.S. Achuthanandan Government, which as Cleanliness Mission. Last year 226 Panchayats completed two years, aim to achieve the goal had achieved Nirmal Puraskar. The current year of decentralisation which was initiated by the 650 panchayats have achieved the standard for earlier LDF government. The government Nirmal Puraskar. Besides Thiruvananthapuram have to rectify various measures taken by the and Kozhikode Corporation, in 17 other cities the Paloli Mohamed Kutty UDF government to nullify the waste management system has been implemented. Minister for Local Self decentralisation process. And the local self Within the next two years waste processing Government government institutions have to be equipped mechanism will be constituted in all other cities and Rural Development to take new responsibilities. The government and panchayats affected with waste disposal gives priorities to these efforts. problem. Waste-free Kerala programme has been Almost all the services are now under the implemented since October 2006 with an guidance and control of local self government intention to find an everlasting solution for the institutions. We have to increase the quality waste management problem in the state. The of service. In the 9th Plan local self government action plan for this was commenced by our beloved institutions have built over 3.5 lakh houses. President on 1st November 2007. The Such an effort is inevitable now also. With environment health programmes jointly this aim the government has stipulated the implemented by Local Administration and Health EMS Total Housing Scheme to provide Ministry will result in improving the health sector. houses to all those who do not have shelter. Availability of drinking water is a major problem To meet this end various schemes under in different places. Solution to this problem will different agencies under the local self be sought through the rural drinking water

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Paloli Mohamed Kutty, Minister for Local Self Government, submitting recommendations on Sachhar Committee to the Chief Minister. schemes. Nutritious food distribution Under this scheme and the Urban Grameen Zadak Yojna. Centre’s through Anganvadis has been made Development Scheme of the Union permission is sought to improve the core effective and extensive. Good quality Government, more than Rs.3,800 crores network which was formulated nutritious food was made available in development schemes are being unscientifically. With improvement in Anganvadis through Kudambasree units. implemented in different Corporations core network, the activities in this sector scheme to protect destitute families and Municipalities in Kerala. will be vitalized. To monitor the central has already been implemented in 650 Improvement has been felt in the schemes, vigilance and monitoring system panchayats. This unique programme infrastructure facilities in the rural sector comprising MPs and MLAs has been which got Prime Minister’s acclaim, is to also. 67.5 kilometres of road work has formed at state and district level. The rural be implemented in all the panchayats. been completed under Pradhanmantri employment scheme is being implemented Aiming sustainable development, it is in Waynad and Palghat districts is an proposed that 40 per cent of the plan imitable model to the whole nation. outlay of local self government institutions Contractors and machinery are fully should be utilized in the production sector. exempted and there is no middlemen. The UDF government has completely Availability of drinking Kudumbasree is running the scheme. All neglected the production sector. It is with water is a major the workers are paid through banks. The an aim to reiterate the declared goals of the problem in different scheme is extended to Kasaragod and LDF government, the 11th plan has been places. Solution to Idukki districts in the same manner. Till formulated to be implemented through this problem will be now 80.96 lakh working days have been peoples’ planning. Different schemes are sought through the created. Out of these 56.82 lakh were for women, Rs.96.14 crore was distributed as being formulated in agriculture and rural drinking water related sectors to create a lot of employment wages. From this year, the scheme will be opportunities. Through lease land schemes. Nutritious implemented in all the districts in Kerala. farming and integrated schemes, a lot of food distribution Lack of control in the construction employment opportunities are generated. through Anganvadis sector has created a sort of anarchism in Our cities are constrained of drinking has been made that field. The construction works water, drainage, sewage and transport effective and extensive. implemented without taking into facilities. The sustainable city consideration the needs of the locals and development scheme availing loan from the environment have created many ADB was commenced in this situation. problems in the fields of drinking water,

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¦ Launched EMS Housing Scheme with the aim to provide houses for all people in the State

¦ Implementation of Five Year Plan through people planning project; Paloli Mohamed Kutty, Minister for LSGD, inaugurating the golden jubilee celebrations priority to productive sector of the Town and Country Planning Department.

¦ Comprehensive schemes of Kudumbasree for the growth of electricity, transport and waste The Local Self Government productive sector management and thus made the life of Department is trying to strengthen the locals miserable. It was in these ¦ Marketing of rural products people’s planning and to renovate the circumstances, the government has through Kudumbasree markets production sector and thereby empower decided to implement construction rules the local self government institutions. I ¦ Kerala becomes model in the in all panchayats and to modify am fully confident that these efforts will implementation of National construction rules. be successful with people’s participation. Employment Guarantee Scheme; The aim of reformation cannot be Minorities’ Welfare Special Mission for the achieved without improving and It is the declared policy of the left front implementation of the Scheme reforming the administration. To reduce government that it will take necessary steps ¦ Banning of plastic in the State work load, administration and employees to improve the social status and quality of have to be provided with more facilities. life of the minorities who are sidelined in With this intention, the Corporation the society due to historical and social Mayors were provided with PAs, Panchayat reasons. Kerala state has implemented the Presidents were provided with telephone reservation in education and government allowance and honorarium of peoples’ service from the very beginning, Yet the representatives was increased. The project religious minorities remain backward in implementation can be made effective only by improving the administration in The Local Self Panchayats and Corporations. With this intention, the excess employees from other Government Department departments were redeployed. But this Necessary steps will be is trying to strengthen was not as effective and speedy as was taken to ensure that people’s planning and to expected. It is in this situation a special fruits of the social renovate the production engineering section was formed for local welfare measure sector and thereby self government departments. This will programmes empower the local self come into effect from this year itself. The implemented by the government institutions. account keeping of the local self government through the I am fully confident that governments has been made in order. 620 Waqf Board reach the these efforts will be ’s panchayats are equipped with computer facilities. This will be implemented soon deserved. The activities successful with people of the Waqf board will participation. in the remaining panchayats also. Almost all the panchayats are provided with head be reorganised and the clerks. To address the grievances of the Waqf laws will be employees regarding transfer, a transfer amended as envisaged policy is being formulated and by the Sachhar implemented. Efforts are being taken to Committee Report. make the administration effective with the help of employees.

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their living standard. Various programmes Sachhar Report and further actions are implemented to resolve this. Kerala is the first state to act on Haj House and facilities Rajindra Sachhar Commission Report. The number of pilgrims performing The Kerala government initiated to study It is the declared Haj through State Haj Committee has ever and take action on the report submitted policy of the left th been on the increase. Situation prevails before the Parliament on 30 November, front government where all the applicants cannot be granted 2006. In Kerala, the Muslim community that it will take permission. A number of problems are is not as backward as the in other necessary steps to existing connected with the journey of the parts of the country. In the national level the backwardness of minority is a serious improve the social Haj pilgrims. The main among was to status and quality of build a permanent Haj House in issue but in the state it is different. Yet near the airport. The entire Muslim there are many backward minority pockets life of the minorities communities’ desire was fulfilled this year. and people in Kerala. The LDF who are sidelined in The construction of Haj House in government in the state is implementing the society due to Karipur was executed with immediate developmental programmes to improve historical and social priority by the LDF government. The their condition. As part of this, the state reasons. construction was begun in 2006 itself. government has appointed an 11-Member The task was taken up in war footing and Committee to study and submit reports the construction was completed before the as to how to implement Sachhar Haj Pilgrimage 2007. The work was Commission Report in the state, with Local completed in seven months and was Self Government Minister Paloly for the backward community is being inaugurated on 5th November 2007 by Muhammedkutty as chairman. The coordinated. The report gives special Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan. The Committee has submitted its report emphasis to Madrasa renovation and Haj House with four-storey has facilities within three months after collecting welfare measures for teachers. The report for the stay and prayer for 1000 people. suggestions from all the districts in the which suggests measures to improve The auditorium and canteen is State. infrastructure facilities in the coastal and constructed in such a way that it can be Realising the main reason behind the hilly areas where religious minorities live utilized for other purposes also. The Haj backwardness of the Muslim community in excess, will be implemented with House built near the Karipur Airport with in Kerala is their backwardness in immediate priority. extensive facilities is useful to Hajis, their education, the government have taken relatives and the residents of . necessary steps to tide over this. A Special Waqf Protection measures The state government has already Cell is formed in the Secretariat for the Protection of Waqf institutions and intervened to get permission to all redressal of problems of the minority Waqf wealth is a matter of prime applicants for Haj and to avoid difficulties communities. The Cell will take steps to importance. Sachhar Commission Report in getting Zam Zam water and is still provide with scholarships for the also emphasises it. The Waqf institutions dealing the matter with the central backward Muslim students in time. The in the State are governed by Waqf Board government. welfare measures of different departments of state stipulated under Central Waqf Act. Activities of Waqf Board are being systematised to carry out the responsibilities effectively. There are wide spread complaints that the interest of the Waqf is not being protected due to the malfunctioning and misappropriation of the Waqf Boards. To scrutinise these kinds of complaints, the government has formulated appropriate system. Waqf institutions and wealth will be maintained properly and believers’ concerns will be addressed. Necessary steps will be taken to ensure that fruits of the social welfare measure programmes implemented by the government through the Waqf Board reach the deserved. The activities of the Waqf board will be reorganised and the Waqf V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, releasing people branded products, produced laws will be amended as envisaged by the by Kudumbasree Sachhar Committee Report.

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his Government has given form to a water policy keeping in mind the issues like ownership of water, citizens’ right on water and the governments responsibility in T ensuring these facilities. This water policy, which has undergone discussions on various levels and opinion formation among the masses, is in its final stages of declaration.

The Mision for Water Security

t is well known that life originated in water. maintaining the purity of available water. Also we Water is an indispensable element of our have to curb the misuse of water. Disciplined use Inature. It may be even true to say that water of water and its sensible consumption should be is nature itself. This is so because the existence of encouraged seriously. all forms of life- plant or animal, and all Several large-scale, diverse, well-studied and ecosystems- big and small, are based on water democratic plans are required to meet the diverse and its relative components. Even though there water needs of Kerala. Life giving water is the birth is plenty of water in this world, more than enough right of every human being. Even by that standard, for all our needs, the majority of our population extreme hard work is needed to satisfy the diverse is still facing scarcity of water. needs of all people. Water is a necessary commodity The quantity of available pure water is on a in the fields like irrigation, drinking water, N.K.Premachandran decline. And along with that it is being polluted. electricity, industries, health, ecology etc. the most Minister for Water And when it is coupled with the unchecked and important issue here is that there is nothing to Resources unscientific methods of water consumptions the replace water. gravity of the problem increases. The present In a state where we obtain a higher percentage scenario is one of increasing needs and depleting of rain than the national average, we have extremely resources. Thus it is the need of the hour that we complex obstacles to face. On one side we get much pay an attention to scientific methods of water of the rain in a span of a few days. On the other conservation and efficient usage of the same. side lies certain geographical features that make The problems like global warming, the conservation a near impossible. Kerala is a piece desertisation, deforestation and destruction of of land that slopes down from the western hill mangrove forests affect the water resources ranges to the . This slope and the directly. The natural water conservation set-up is peculiarities of the soil types make all the water facing extinction. Also the inadequacy of run away to naught. Thus we face the awkward sanitation facilities increases the possibility of situation of a six-month drought and six-month pollution. We can attain our goal only by flood. conserving as much water as we can and by Water conservation is badly affected by the

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N.K Premachandran, Minister for Water Resources, inaugurating a workshop on participatory water resources management at Thiruvananthapuram. decrease and destruction of forests that are programmes. JNNURM, UIDSSMT and the natural water harvesters, agricultural The important issues on drinking Drinking Water Programme. Also we were fields, and water bodies. Another water and irrigational programmes are able to commission the Cochin, HUDCO important problem that we face is the carried out under the leadership of the programmes in good time. And the work pollution of existing water resources. We water authority. Kerala Water Authority is for the bottled drinking water programme should also see the reports on the depletion an important role player in the field of also has been started. of underground water resources seriously. drinking water distribution. The Scientific renovation process of the It has been two years since I took up Government has undertaken extensive Kerala Water Authority has already started. the responsibility as the Minister for Water programmes to develop the authority into As part of this, distribution of computers Resources of the State. I have started a professional institution in this field. 143 has been completed and the pilot project working on the ground that various drinking water programmes, both big and called the Centralised Drinking Water integrated and scientific plans are necessary small, were completed in the last two years. Programme will be started at to meet the various needs of the society. 8.5 lakh peoples benefited from this Thiruvananthapuram. The applicants will This government has given form to a water programme. Also completed were the get water connection in seven days as part policy keeping in mind the issues like drinking water programmes for 534 rural of this project. The government wishes to ownership of water, citizens’ right on water schools and 1817 ‘Varsha’ units. spread this programme on the basis of its and the governments responsibility in The government has given permission experience. ensuring these facilities. This water policy, to various programmes like Speedy Rural Measures have been taken to ensure which has under gone discussions on Programme, Tsunami Rehabilitation, the efficient use of drinking water and to various levels and opinion formation prevent the theft of water. Another among the masses, is in its final stages of important achievement of this declaration. government is the revision of the pay scale The government is planning to of the water authority workers. implement a plan based on the various The government has ‘Jalanidhi’ has taken up its works in water resources of the state. We can attain undertaken extensive around 110 panchayats. Many small-scale our goal by the efficient co-operation programmes to develop Kerala projects have also been undertaken in this between various departments, agencies and Water Authority into a period. Five large-scale plans were also been the masses. We will have to work hard to professional institution in this commissioned. These plans benefited protect our local water resources. The field. 143 drinking water around 4.37 lakh people of about 66,868 protection of rivers and other water bodies programmes, both big and families. The construction of 7569 require special attention. We should also rainwater harvesters, 8217 toilets, look into the absence of integrated and small, were completed in the conversion of 2737 trench toilets and scientific laws in this field. Thus, various last two years. 8.5 lakh people 13735 wastewater-recycling plants have practical and efficient actions on the field benefited from this been completed. of law are necessary alongside the diverse programme. More than a thousand rainwater and large scale enlightenment harvesters have been completed in various

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¦ Comprehensive water policy and amendment of Water Supply Act to protect and preserve water resources N.K Premachandran, Minister for Water Resources, inaugurating World Water Day ¦ Formation of Dam Security celebrations. Authority; decision to construct new dam at Mullapperiyar places like medical colleges, educational efficient functioning and without institutions, government offices etc under enhancing the charge. Rs. 40 crore from ¦ Completed 143 drinking water the rainwater harvesting programme. this additional revenue could be used for projects including 33 big reliving the deficit incurred from the pay projects; through this, drinking Many study-classes and workshops revision. water made available to more were held under the ‘Swajaldhara’ than 8.5 lakh people programme which was to ensure the Ground Water Department quality of rural drinking water completed the construction of 2031 tube ¦ 223 small water projects started programmes. This aims to purify the rural wells and 333 filter point wells and located under ‘Jalnidhi’; completed 1550 water bodies like wells. These programmes sites for 9652 tube wells. And also small projects and five big are held under the joint leadership of constructed 884 tube wells and 819 projects Kerala Water authority and the ordinary wells as part of the hydrology ¦ World Bank award for ‘Jalanidhi’ communication and capacity development project. unit. Various programmes were held under ¦ Round the clock customs service Several programmes are held under the the banner ‘Water Literacy Year 2007-08’. centre at Kerala Water Authority irrigation department. Sea walls are being Quiz competitions were held for high built and Rs. 1551.51-lakh worth of work school students under the name ‘Spirity’. has been carried out in the small-scale These are being broadcast every Sunday. irrigation projects. The steps are on for Newsletters posters and videos were also Chamravattom plan and other plans like distributed. Tritthala R.C.B, Kuttapuzha tadayana etc. The Department aims at the wide have also been commissioned. dream of a Kerala that is self-sustained in The government has undertaken the case of water related needs. Thus we discussions and other actions regarding the plan to undertake long term plans in the safety of the and the water conservation and distribution areas. More than a thousand construction of a new dam. By conducting Scientific water management programmes rainwater harvesters many programmes like Environment are to be undertaken, particularly in the have been completed in Impact Study, Flows Route Study, Quake Panchayat Raj level. It wishes to attain the various places like Probability Study etc., the Water aim of providing uninterrupted water medical colleges, Authority could strengthen our arguments supply for all. in the Supreme Court. We are of the stand educational institutions, During my brief term as the minister I that a new dam should be built to ensure have found that many tiresome activities government offices etc the protection of the life of people. Efforts under the rainwater are needed to conserve water and its should be now taken to gather the judicious use to ensure the survival of harvester programme. necessary legal and public support. mankind and the whole living universe. Another achievement that is worth For that timely action plans and visions mentioning is the revision of the Kerala are necessary. Water Distribution and Sewerage Law by The department is keen to undertake putting forward a special ordinance that different works in this direction. We are helped to prevent the misuse of water and on a work path to water security. I beg illegal water connections. The revenue of your wholehearted support and help in the Authority was increased from Rs.138 the journey to accomplish this crore to Rs.170 crore by ensuring the great aim.

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he Revenue Department initiated a new concept to be known as Kerala State Land Bank for the professional management of Government lands. The objectives of the KSLB are to prevent encroachments on Government lands,T to ensure transparency on assignment of lands and leases etc., to maintain strict vigil on Government lands by the proposed agency. Encroachment Eviction Till the Goal

he Revenue Department plays a re-promulgated for the last 15 years or more, have predominant role in the been replaced with Bills and got them passed by Tadministration of the State. The the State Legislative Assembly. Department is co-coordinating almost all Eviction of Illegal Land Encroachment major functions of the State. Apart from the The encroachments on Government lands land related issues, the Department deals with have always been on the rise ever since the law and order situation at local level, formation of the State. The LDF Government coordinating various developmental have taken stock the entire situation and decided programmes, relief operations, arrangements to take stringent action against such encroachments. connected with elections etc. The K.P Rajendran Consequently, Government have constituted task Department has had considerable forces in every taluks to identify encroachers, evict Minister for Revenue achievements during the past two years. them from the public property, and to resume New Legislations Government land. Two special task forces have The first and foremost among various been specially constituted for the work in Idukki welfare measures is the introduction of a new district, where large-scale illegal activities were taken legislation to constitute a Farmers’ Debt Relief place, one for Munnar region and the other for Commission, which is first of its kind in our Peermedu region. As a result, Government could country. The Commission started resume 11851.80 acres of land. The operations functioning with effect from 18th January are still going on. The Government is determined 2007. to get the entire public property free from Another Bill to protect paddy fields of encroachment. the State that facing severe threat from Lease Land reclamation, conversion and various Thousands of acres of land are leased out to encroachments has been presented before the institutions or individuals. Majority of them did State Legislature. The Select Committee of not remit the lease rent due to the unscientific the legislature is now considering it. method of rent fixation. A total extent of Four major Ordinances, which were being 5012.18.97 acres of land is under lease agreement,

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K.P Rajendran, Minister for Revenue, inaugurating resurvey pilot project and FMB counter at Village office, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram. except plantations. The arrears of lease rent monitoring the rehabilitation activities. ensure transparency on assignment of are worked out to Rs.57.46 crore. The entire people of 226 villages in the lands and leases etc., to maintain strict vigil Government have issued notice to all nine coastal districts will be benefited when on Government lands by the proposed defaulters to settle their arrears and to renew the rehabilitation programmes are agency. This would further help the their lease agreement, failing which they completed in 2009. Government to make rational use of have to surrender the land. So far 46.29 The dependents of Tsunami victims Government owned lands with a ha. of land has been resumed by the were given a financial assistance of Rupees perspective eye on the future development Government. one lakh each during the second of the State. Various types of land such as Major leaseholders in the plantation anniversary of Tsunami disaster in addition Poromboke lands both under lease and sector of Kerala have been allowed the to the financial aid given earlier. without lease, land leased out for right to hold lease land since 19th Century. Government also implemented three cultivation of and other Government received several complaints schemes with a financial assistance of Rs.16 plantation crops, bought-in-land, against thesFMB counter at Village office crore under Prime Ministers Child assignable surplus land, acquired land that at Thycaud, Thiruvananthapurame firms Assistance Scheme which provide (i) not put into use, escheated land etc. will alleging encroachment of public land, financial assistance to those children who be brought under the Kerala State Land illegal transfer and sale of lands. have lost their parents in Tsunami to the Bank. Government decided to conduct detailed tune of Rs.51,000/- as fixed deposit till Distribution of Excess Land to enquiry and survey and to resume excess they become major; (ii) a special scholarship landless poor land from such firms/States. of Rs.300/- per month to defray school The present LDF Government gave Tsunami Rehabilitation programme going expenses and (iii) counselling 60044 Pattas (title document) and Record Soon after assuming charge, the Left support, special tuition classes and play of Right to landless poor, weaker sections Democratic Government has taken every schools. 63,401 school children have been of society and agricultural labourers. measure to rehabilitate the entire affected benefited by this scheme. Altogether Apart Earnest and time bound efforts are under people in the nine coastal districts of from the above, an insurance scheme that way to take over the remaining excess land Kerala. State Government could succeed would be beneficial to more than within next one year. It is expected that at in getting projects approved by the Central 1,58,364 coastal dwellers have also been least 50,000 acres of land can be taken Government to the tune of Rs.1442 crore introduced through the United India over and distributed to the landless poor to be completed within five years. Insurance Company. during the tenure of this Government. Government have started its Land Bank Land to landless Tribal Families implementation transparently and The Revenue Department initiated a It is estimated that more than 22000 administrative sanction for the items of new concept to be known as Kerala State landless tribal families are there in the State. work amounting to Rs.1023,50 crore has Land Bank for the professional Action is being taken to allot the land so already been accorded. The State Level management of Government lands. The purchased to the tribes. So far1847 acres Monitoring Committee and the State Level objectives of the KSLB are to prevent of land has been distributed to 2019 tribal Empowered Committee are constantly encroachments on Government lands, to families since the present Government

May 2008 58 KERALA CALLING

came into power. 7730 tribal families have and Taluk Offices specifically for each been rehabilitated since the Tribal purpose has been dispensed with and a Rehabilitation Mission commenced their new system to issue all certificates in a activities. single format with longer validity period Computerisation of Land Records has been introduced so that the general The necessity for the proper public need not approach revenue officials maintenance and updating of land records every time for obtaining each certificate. needs no emphasis. To achieve this goal, Disaster Management Authority latest information technology is a must for In accordance with the Disaster ¦ constituted task forces in every storing, processing of information database Management Act 2005 passed by the taluks to identify encroachers, in land records and its retrieving. Parliament, Government constituted a evict them from the public property. Therefore, computerisation of land records State Disaster Management Authority ¦ Initiated a new concept to be is an indispensable step to attain these with the Chief Minister as the Chairman known as Kerala State Land Bank objectives. A scheme on Computerisation and the Minister for Revenue as the Vice- of Land Records (CLR) was started in Chairman. The Authority came into ¦ Distributed 60044 Pattas (title 1991-92, with the financial assistance of existence on 1st March 2007. Action is in document) and Record of Right to the Central Government. The scheme has progress to constitute the District Disaster landless poor, weaker sections of been successfully implemented in Management Authorities and various society and agricultural labourers. Kottayam district. The project in other committees of the Authority as envisaged ¦ 1847 acres of land has been districts is progressing. in the Act. The Authority is now engaged distributed to 2019 tribal families Re-survey in formulating the State’s Disaster ¦ Re-constituted Taluk Land Boards Re-survey of the entire land of Kerala Management Policy that will be announced with a view to speed up the cases commenced in 1964. However resurvey shortly. related to excess land of 740 villages is to be completed. The The International Disaster Reduction ¦ State Disaster Management Government decided to take up the work day is observed on 10th October every Authority constitued with the Chief on war footing and to complete the work year. Last year the focal theme was “Disaster Minister as Chairman and the within three years. As an experimental Risk Reduction begins at Schools”. The Minister for Revenue as Vice- measure, Government took up a Pilot day was observed by commencing a Chairman Project in the Thycaud Village of the capital training programme to the students city. The experiment was a success and the through ‘Edusat’. A major programme project will be replicated in other villages on disaster reduction and mitigation with on a phased manner. the financial assistance of U.N.D.P. has Land Management Policy been launched in the State from January With a view to protect the land and its 2008. The Authority has arranged resources from over exploitation; to protect another training programme on disaster mitigation and capacity building to the The Revenue Government land from encroachment; and its rational use, the Government selected persons of all districts with the Department will be announced a draft “Land Policy”. The help of National Disaster Response Force. made more public draft policy will be finalised after discussing The Authority organised a one-day oriented. Steps will be it at various levels. It is also proposed to Workshop on ‘Global Warming and its taken to change the evolve suitable action plans in accordance impact on disasters’ on 2nd April in the with the proposed policy. wake of unprecedented summer rains that mind-set of staff so as occurred in March. to keep them in tune Government re-constituted Taluk Land Boards with a view to speed up the The LDF Government had with the changes and confronted with the havocs of two sprit of speedy and cases related to excess land. It also constituted Taluk Development monsoon seasons; one drought prone efficient service to the summer and unprecedented summer rains public. Committees in all the Taluks for monitoring and overseeing the during the past two years. Government developmental activities. have taken every measure to ensure A Help Desk in each district has been drinking water supply during peak set up in all Collectorates to extend help summer through revenue machinery. to the visiting public to get their grievances Monsoon flood, which is more serious redressed and to give necessary advice on than drought conditions, affects more than various issues. The practice of issuing one lakh population every year. Last year, various certificates from the Village Offices it affected 1794834 people. We lost 263

May 2008 59 KERALA CALLING

Two new schemes entitled “Kera human lives. and 2812 number of Rs.50.81 crore only. Kedaram” (Coconut Grove) and “Nadan livestock population. 2084 houses The State witnessed unprecedented Manthoppu” (Mango Orchard of local damaged completely and 53609 houses and fierce summer rains during March varieties) have been launched to encourage partially. 1469 relief camps have been 2008. The heavy rain caused untold cultivation of coconut trees and fruit opened throughout the State for providing misery and caused extensive damage to bearing tees in all the vacant space available shelter for 259381 families. 36797 ha. of crops throughout the State. The disaster in the revenue office premises. cropped area affected. Adequate funds has taken 19 lives and caused heavy loss to have been released to all District Collectors crops as well as public and private In the coming years, the Revenue for relief and rehabilitation activities well property. The Government machinery Department desires to take up several in advance before the onset of monsoon. acted swiftly and took every possible activities with a view to ensure proper The fiscal loss sustained on account of this measure to mitigate the disaster by service to the people as well as to protect year’s natural calamity alone is estimated providing shelters to the affected persons the interest of the State. Taking over the as Rs.1528 crore. Government have and assessing crop loss. Government surplus land and its distribution to the submitted memorandum seeking financial declared an interim relief of Rs.10,000 per landless poor; distribution of land to the assistance (in accordance with the norms ha. to the paddy farmers in addition to tribal folks; eviction of illegal encroachers fixed by the Central Government) the procurement of paddy at a moderate from the revenue land; full-fledged amounting to Rs.637 crore. Though it was price. The Chief Minister and Ministers establishment of the Kerala State Land recommended for an assistance of Rs.136 visited the affected areas and personally Bank; completion of re-survey and crore, the Central Government sanctioned monitored relief activities. Ministers met revenue settlement, computerisation of the Prime Minister and other Union revenue records; development of a Ministers and sought additional assistance coordinated mechanism with the from Central Government. A central team registration department; resumption of visited the worst affected areas of the State lease land from those who have violated Adequate funds have for assessing the loss sustained. lease conditions; finalisation of land policy; been released to all Government could convince the central strengthening the disaster management District Collectors for team about the loss and submitted a mechanism are some of the priority areas relief and rehabilitation memorandum seeking an assistance of that the Department may take up in activities well in Rs.1431 crore in actual terms and Rs.215 future. advance before the crore in accordance with CRF norms. The Revenue Department will be onset of monsoon. The River Management Fund made more public oriented. Steps will be fiscal loss sustained on Concerted efforts have been taken for taken to change the mind-set of staff so as to keep them in tune with the changes account of this year’s the effective utilisation of river management funds available with the and sprit of speedy and efficient service to natural calamity alone the public. Corruption exist among a very is estimated as district administration for the protection of rivers and riverbanks. Special package few officials will be eliminated and a Rs.1528 crore. with a holistic approach for the protection system for the speedy and transparent of each river is being evolved with the disposal of petitions and applications assistance of scientific community. received will be introduced.

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he consolation measures taken by the LDF government to save the fishermen folk from debt trap reveal the government’s commitment to the sector. Kerala T Fishermen Debt Relief Bill was passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly unanimously which can be termed as the Magna Carta of the fishermen in the state. New enthusiasm in fisheries sector

hen the LDF Government came into Cess from various sectors functioning in the power, the fisheries sector in the state marketing network. Assisting officers were posted Wwas passing through an in each district. The left front government in the unprecedented crisis. The fisheries sector was in state is going ahead with strong conviction to a chaos. Following a supreme court verdict, the collect Cess from all concerned and strengthen the exporters were exempted from paying their share Fisheries’ Welfare Board. to the Fisheries’ Welfare Fund; and having no In continuation of the Supreme Court verdict other income, the welfare measures in this sector the Central Government had directed all the had come to a standstill. The foreign trolling coastal states to implement full and coordinated ships were given licences to fish in deep waters as ban on trolling in the entire coastal area. But per the new economic policy and which resulted realizing that this Supreme Court verdict will affect S. Sharma in dearth of fish in coastal and territorial areas. adversely the interest of traditional fishermen in Minister for Fisheries and The UDF government committed an our state, the government came forward with the Registration unpardonable mistake in disbursing livelihood legislation viz. Kerala Fishing Protection Act and support to the Tsunami affected people by enabled fishing in monsoon season. Thus, the left diverting the fund meant for the same and this front government facilitated the fishermen to reap resulted in widespread contempt and rage. The benefit from ‘Chaakara’ which is unique to Kerala. functioning of the Fisheries Department and The consolation measures taken by the LDF agencies under it like Matsyafed, ADAK, FIRMA government to save the fishermen folk from debt and Matsya Board also came to a halt. It was in trap reveal the government’s commitment to the such a chaotic situation the LDF came into power. sector. Kerala Fishermen Debt Relief Bill was The LDF government, as a first step, had passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly taken necessary measures to tide over the situation unanimously which can be termed as the Magna that prevailed in the welfare arena consequent Carta of the fishermen sect in the state. As per this on the Supreme Court Verdict by legislation. Act, the Commission has the power to right off Thus, Fisheries’ Welfare Cess Act came into being. the debts taken for the purpose of purchasing According to it Rules were formulated to collect fishing equipment, house, education, treatment

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etc. It is for the first time in India a debt state. They are depending highly on reimbursed as insurance relief. To promote relief Act for fishermen was brought in. private money lenders who charge cut self employment schemes and self reliance And this is the third legislation within the throat interest. A scheme will be among the fishermen folk, 1000 micro two years of the LDF government in implemented from this month onwards venture units are being formulated. 400 power. To re-organize the fisheries to provide every fisher women with of these units are already functioning at department which was totally in disorder, interest free loan of Rs.5000/-. This present. Cooperative Societies of fish the special rules formulated in 1966 were amount shall be re-paid in 50 equal marketing women are provided with 300 modified to give more opportunities for monthly installments of Rs.100/-. The vehicles. In the coastal area, 1476 professional graduates in this field. The fishermen equipment insurance scheme beneficiaries are given with boat and net process of formulating special rules is in implemented this year is unique. 75% of and in inland water sector, 3184 progress and will be finalized soon. the cost of the boat and equipment that beneficiaries are provided with fishing The situation prevailing was such that met with accident in the sea will be equipments. In addition to this, 20 sea without registration or licence anyone can food kitchens and 45 fish kiosks are to be go to sea with a fishing boat. Capitalizing opened by fisherwomen societies. 750 this situation, terrorists used our coastal LPG kits are being disbursed for fishermen sea for smuggling and terrorism ends. To groups. With the help of IRTC, soap with avoid this, registration and licence were To protect the the brand name ‘Saf’ produced by made compulsory for all fishing boats and fishermen from the fisherwomen societies utilizing coconut oil was given time till 31 March 2008 to avail traps of middlemen has been introduced in the market. To these. But at the same time, realizing the and to provide them create more employment opportunities for fact that our sea is over exploited, the with permanent women in the coastal area, 340 government decided that new registrations livelihood and easy Kallummekkaya units and 120 shall be given only after the scrutiny by an Kallummekkaya Pickle units are being loan facilities, the started. 30 ornamental fish hatcheries are expert committee. government is To protect the fishermen from the traps opened in Alleppey, Ernakulam and of middlemen and to provide them with formulating and Trichur districts. Besides these, IT kiosks, permanent livelihood and easy loan implementing various super markets, community resource centres facilities, the government is formulating programmes. etc. are also being opened in different and implementing various programmes. districts. More than 40,000 fishermen There are over 30,000 fisher women who families will be benefited by this. earn livelihood by selling fresh fish in the Out of 519 insurance claims under

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¦ Registration and licence were made compulsory for all fishing boats ¦¦ A scheme will be implemented to provide every fisher women with interest free loan of Rs 5000/- ¦ Rs10.05 crs was allotted for payment of pension in the fisheries sector ¦ Fishermen’s pension was Matsya Board group insurance scheme, fishermen. To rehabilitate 11,000 increased as Rs.200/- per 318 were settled by discussion between fishermen families who are now residing month the Fisheries Minister and the Insurance within 200 metres of the coastal line a ¦ Construction of Quilandy Company. And Rs.314.5 lakh was given scheme of Rs.325.54 crores was and Thalai fishing harbour s away to the dependents of fishermen inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief started. families. During the last two years, Rs.5.5 Minister Shri V.S. Achuthanandan in crore was granted for disbursing pension Poonthura in Trivandrum District. The for fishermen and 63,000 fishermen land acquisition process is in progress in families were benefited. Rs. 281.8 lakh fast track under the supervision of the was granted to pay off the pending District Collectors. This project will be pension for fishermen till August 2007, implemented in war footing. To promote and another Rs.173.28 lakh was granted the commercial production and export of for the pending pension till December ornamental fish, an acqua technology park 2007. Thus, total Rs10.05 crs was allotted costing Rs.14.5 crores is being set up in for payment of pension in the fisheries Alwaye, near Airport sector. Fishermen’s pension was increased forming a limited company named Kerala as Rs.200/- per month. Acqua Ventures International Limited. This government gives After this government came into Satellite fish farms under this acqua park power, a budget allocation of Rs.7 crores will be set up in Neyyar in Trivandrum special importance for the for the education of children of fishermen district, Pannivelichira in Pathanamthitta, infrastructure development was made whereby 1.5 lakh children were Pallom in Kottayam District, Ullanam in in the fisheries sector. benefited. During the current financial District and Pazhassi in After this government year, to pay off the pending educational . Under these farms came into power, the benefits, Rs.4.5 Crores was also allocated. homestead farms and backyard hatcheries construction work of This government is giving top priority to will be set up. These homestead farms Quilandy fishing harbour find solution to the educational problems will be under the control of Kudambasree at a cost of Rs.35.48 crores of the offspring of fishermen. model self help group societies of women. Under the housing project with the The company will provide adequate and Thalai fishing harbour capital, technical support and marketing at a cost of Rs.19.26 crores help of National Fishermen Welfare Fund, was started. Rs.1,200 lakh was granted and 3,000 support to these societies. These self help houses are under construction in different group societies will be the primary stages. 910 houses have been completed. producers of this venture. The ornamental In addition to this, with the help of TSS, fish will be exported to foreign countries works of 225 houses were completed in through the main hub in Alwaye. The Trivandrum district. The LDF scheme will provide direct employment government is taking appropriate steps to opportunities for 5,000 and indirect resolve the housing problems faced by employment opportunities for 10,000

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people. development in the fisheries sector. After Under the one-rice one-fish scheme this government came into power, the fish / prawn cultivation is initiated in 798 An inland landing construction work of Quilandy fishing hectre area in the state. Rs.93.78 lakh was centre is completed in harbour at a cost of Rs.35.48 crores and given to farmers as financial aid. In Sambranikody in Thalai fishing harbour at a cost of Rs.19.26 Odayam near , a prawn hatchery Kollam district. crores was started. Munjamood with a capacity of 15 million was Thazhampally bridge was completed to commissioned and 12 lakhs of Construction of a fish facilitate transportation to Muthalappozhi Karachemmeen offsprings were produced landing centre in fishing harbour. The harbour dredging and disbursed. This project is aimed to Bakel in Kasaragod works in Vizhinjam fishing harbour is in overcome the backwardness in the inland district will progress. This harbour will be The fishing sector. Under this scheme, 10,000 commence soon. commissioned soon. hector water sheds will be utilized for fish fishing An inland landing centre is completed and prawn cultivation by the next year. harbour will be in Sambranikody in Kollam district. New water sheds will be utilized for fish commissioned soon. Construction of a fish landing centre in cultivation and diversification will be Bakel in will commence brought into this sector. By this 20,000 soon. The Kayamkulam fishing harbour ton of fish, 4,000 tone of fresh water will be commissioned soon. A mini fishing lobster and 3,700 ton of prawn and 486 harbour at a cost of Rs five crores will be ton of shell will be produced more. The Abdul Kalam is being implemented in the set up in Chetha in Alappuzha district. scheme is being implemented with the backward district of Kasaragod. Under Mini fishing harbours will be set up help of 700 local governing bodies. this scheme, to build coastal roads, in Chellanam in Ernakulam district and Fishing in the sea being more dwellings and drinking water facilities, fish Arthunkal in Alappuzha district under dangerous, 2,000 sea safety kits will be landing centre and IT facilities, Rs.1 Crore TRP scheme. Under TRP scheme road disbursed to fishermen. These kits will is allocated. In addition to this, under the works worth Rs.21.69 crores have been include a safety beacon designed by ISRO. integrated coastal area development sanctioned across the state and works worth Steps to coordinate with Fish knowledge scheme, Rs.4.27 crores has been Rs.9.6 crores have already been centres organized under Matsyabhavan sanctioned for the development of coastal commenced. Fishing harbours will be set will be taken in coastal villages. The coastal areas in Kasaragod district. up with Central aid in Chettuva in Trichur PURA scheme formulated by in tune with This government gives special district and Kasaba in Kasaragod district the suggestion of former President Dr APJ importance for the infrastructure in the year 2008-09.

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his Government have taken up vigorous steps to fill the vacancies of doctors and appointed 579 doctors in three batches through PSC. PSC has prepared a large new T rank list. Besides, more than 700 personnel were appointed through NRHM. Compulsory rural service to degree and PG medical students has been ensured. New Life for Health

ealth is a social, political and economic Standard. The activities to materialise infrastructure issue. It is a fundamental human right facilities, buildings and equipments for five Htoo. While the health sector has been speciality units and 115 community centres are as facing grave threat from the imperialistic part of this. Works for the upgradation of about globalisation, the International People’s Health 80 plus CHCs have also started and for the rest Congress held in Dhaka eight years back made will start soon. Steps have also taken to provide such a declaration of rights. This declaration is round the clock service by appointing specialist still relevant. The hostile movements generated doctors. Within one year these hospitals will be by the globalisation in India like everywhere else, emerged to the National criterion. especially in Kerala, for the last one and a half Besides this, the project to modernise the 126 decade is critical in its nature. The Left Democratic P.K. Sreemathi coastal hospitals using the tsunami fund has also Front Government assumed power when the Teacher started. The upgradation of 110 block primary rulers were viewing covertly that health is not a Minister for Health and health centres to the National level begins next Social Welfare human right issue and the governments were year. withdrawing from public health sector. Medical Education arena The mission to change this attitude The achievements in the field of medical absolutely has taken up by the new government. education are better than what we could realise in To ensure free and standard treatment is the the last 25 years. We could increase 50 seats each declared policy of the LDF. The present status in three government medical colleges. If a new parading from the primary health centres to the medical college starts it gets only 50 seats. Taking medical colleges stands testimony to the fact that this into consideration, the achievement is equal attempts have swiftly been going ahead to realise to starting three new medical colleges. For the first this. time in the history of the past quarter century, two Community health centres in Kerala even new nursing colleges could be established in offer in-patient treatment to common diseases. government sector. Presently, steps are taken up to upgrade them to As a debut move, an MRI scan unit has been the national standard as per Indian Public Health installed in Kozhikode Medical College. With the

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P.K Sreemathi Teacher, Minister for Health, watching the functioning of newly commissioned MRI scanning machine approval of the Central Government, When contagious diseases spread in the State Government have earmarked five- modernisation works to the tune of Rs.120 State two years back, there was no system acres of land for the institution. crore under PMSSY has been started in even to diagnose them. The Virology The employees of the medical colleges Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. Institute in Alappuzha was in a deserted were under dual control of Health Modern instruments, including MRI condition. This Government poured new Department and Health Education scanning machine, to the tune of Rs.50 vigour and thus made it work in full swing. Department that affected negatively the crore will be installed as part of this. Now diseases like chikungunea can be day-to-day affairs. This Government issued Permission for the development to the tune diagnosed here. Conceding to the strong orders to rectify this and brought all of Rs.50 crore at Kozhikode IMCH could pressure exerted, the Central Government employees under Medical Educational be attained. have decided to establish a centre of Department. The follow up actions will The UDF Government have thought National Virology Institute at Alappuzha soon be completed. of selling out the super speciality block of and allotted Rs.20.64 crore for it. And the Regional Cancer Centre, the Kozhikode Medical College to private titleholder of cancer treatment in Kerala entrepreneurs by placing it on Global was groping in the total negligence. But Investors’ Meet (GIM). By leaving off this now modern equipments like MRI scan, move, the Government could finish the Works for the Radio Cobalt Unit etc are installed. first phase of the super speciality block and upgradation of about Through the installation of bone-marrow inaugurated it. To complete this project, replacement unit here, Kerala became the Rs. five crore has been allotted. The 80 plus CHCs has fourth state in the country having such installation of sewage treatment plant is started. Works for the facility. A unit for producing morphine, progressing. rest will start soon. the elixir for the acute pain, has also started. After years of dreaming, the main units Steps have also taken to House-keeping system to ensure of Alappuzha Medical College could be provide round the clock cleanliness is implemented in all major shifted to Vandanam. For shifting the rest service by appointing hospitals. The restriction imposed on of the divisions, work permission to the specialist doctors. visitors is meant for avoiding unnecessary tune of Rs.50 crore was granted in the last Within one year these hassle as well as infection at some extent. financial year. Kottayam and Thrissur hospitals will rise to the The Government has taken up speedy Medical Colleges have also far advanced. measures to fill all the vacancies of doctors Around Rs.30 crore has been spent for standard of national criterion. by appointing 579 doctors through PSC. the modernisation of medical colleges PSC has prepared another rank list also. during the last financial year. Besides, more than 700 personnel were

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¦ Improvement in the condition of hospitals in the State from primary health centres to medical colleges

¦ National status for Thiruvananthapuram Medical College; Rs.120 crore’s development projects started

¦ Rs.50 crore’s Central aid to develop Mother and Child Care centre at P.K Sreemathi Teacher, Minister for Health, receiving the report on starting Ayush University in Kerala. Kozhikode Medical College

¦ Upgradation of 115 community appointed through NRHM. Compulsory committees of district hospital, general health centres, spending Rs.20 lakh rural service to degree and PG medical hospital, women’s and children’s hospital each students has been ensured. Thus the and taluk hospital have been granted ¦ New Government nursing colleges at service of about one thousand doctors is rupees five lakh each this year and CHC, Thrissur and Alappuzha available per year. PHC etc. will get rupees one lakh each.

¦ Formation of Medical Service The 224 doctors in Health Service and OP time has been rescheduled and the Corportion for the transparent 171 doctors in Medical Education services of doctors made available even after purchase of drugs to hospitals Department who were on unauthorised noon. Transfers and postings made absence have been sacked and steps have corruption free. More treatment facilities ¦ Installed MRI scanning machine in taken to fill up these vacancies. Steps have are arranged in tribal areas. Speciality Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram taken to recover the salary and impose hospitals have started functioning Medical Colleges; scanning facility compensation from those who deserted exclusively for scheduled tribes at at lower rate the service after completing the PG in Attappady and Nalloornadu. Basic service quota and received salary on infrastructure has been developed in many deputation basis. local hospitals. Another great achievement is that the Corruption allegations were plenty in National Rural Health Mission could be the dealings of medicines distributed in boosted up. During 2007-08, Rs.133 the government hospitals. Medical Service crore has been allotted through NRHM. Corporation has been launched to change ear’s budget, This year, Rs.16.9 crore has been disbursed this situation. As the Corporation called In the next y to health and sanitation committees for for tenders transparently the prices would Rs 30 crore has been the cleaning activities in 16009 wards. come down to 20 to 30 per cent from the earmarked for health Yet another achievement is that the market rate. This amount also can be used education against the ear.Rs fruitful implementation of Janani for purchasing medicine for the poor. Last 13 crore of the last y Suraksha Yojana. Rs.700 and Rs.600 are year local self government institutions were The estimate for given out respectively to urban and rural ordered to purchase medicine from own and homoeo women belong to poor family for their first fund. The government hospitals could two deliveries. Further, Rs.300 will be issue more free medicine last year compared sectors has been enhanced handed out as travelling expense. to the past 15 years by lifting the from Rs five crore to Rs13 crore. Arrangements have made to give the limitations of the hospital management amount before they leave the hospital. committees to purchase medicine. More than 2.5 million women availed this Financial aids have been given to 1700 dispensation within the last two years. patients including the pending applicants An action plan has been set off for four through a society formulated for helping months to prevent contagious diseases the poor. including chikungunea. More than four The Government have implemented hundred new posts have been created in many a welfare activities in ayurvedic and Health Department. The development homoeopathic sectors, mental health

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treatment, rehabilitation of HIV affected etc. within the two years. formed to monitor these activities. This year’s budget has allocated Rs.30 More than half of the Government have decided to strengthen crore for health education against the the activities of these committees and to population in the State implement flagship programme and Rs.13 crore of the last year. The estimate are women. This for ayurveda and homoeo sectors has been finishing school programme fruitfully and enhanced from Rs.5 crore to Rs.13 crore. Government assumed effectively. For various requirements, including power during the time Honorarium of the sisters who work modernisation of medical colleges, more when the harassment in anganvadis has been increased and than double the amount of the previous against women has been opened 6746 new anganvadis, which years has been allocated in the budget. increasing day by day. provide 13,492 employment avenues. Social Welfare Department Besides the general Permanent appointment has been given to anganvadi activists having more than More than half of the population in misfeasance, domestic six months’ experience. Targeting the the State are women. This Government atrocities and work place education becomes more efficient and assumed power during the time when the harassment are the issues qualitative, the Government introduced harassment against women was on the rise. we are facing. new curriculum for anganvadis. The 20 Besides the general misfeasance, domestic paise grant for wood fuel per child for violence and work place harassment are preparing food in anganvadis has been the issues we face. But to handle the increased to 50 paise. Rs.3.37 crore has problems of women, there is no been distributed equally to 6,746 department even after five decades of the flagship programme for this. The projects anganvadis to purchase furniture and birth of Kerala. Now, Social Welfare are being implemented through Women’s grocery. To distribute medicinal kit, Department handles women’s issues as one Development Corporation, Women’s Rs.1.92 crore has been allotted. Rs.3.5 among the hundreds of thousands of Commission and Kudumbasree. This lakh each for constructing buildings and issues. project aims at legal shield besides Rs.50,000 each for purchasing toys have permanent campaigning and awareness The Left Democratic Front been allotted to 313 anganvadis in the creation. Government have decided to change this coastal area under Tsunami Rehabilitation pathetic situation by taking up follow up Finishing School Flagship Programme Project. As in the case of anganvadi actions. Procedures are on to change Social is another project for women, which aims workers, 37 awards are introduced for Welfare Department into Social – Women at giving training and guidance to job anganvadi helpers too. Pension scheme has Welfare Department. Rs.25 lakh has been seeking women. Rs. two crore has been been envisaged for anganvadi employees. earmarked for the functioning of this earmarked for this in the budget allocation. The 55 supervisor posts lay vacant in Department. Heralding the formation of To implement the Protection of Women from Social Welfare Department have been filled a Gender Advisory Committee, a full time Domestic Violence Act, 2005 effectively, 31 up. By spending Rs.22.66 crore, new Gender Advisor has been appointed. District Protection Officers are posted. buildings have been constructed for 861 Nine shelter homes have opened and 43 Empowerment of women is the anganvadis. declared policy of the LDF Government. service providers are appointed. State / Rs five crore has been allocated for the district level monitoring committees are Contd. on page 80

P.K Sreemathi Teacher, Minister for Social Welfare, releasing the draft of the Women’s policy.

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From page 67 due to the non-allocation of money in the New Life for Health budget by the previous government. Another section of people, who are It can be said that the Women’s hapless in the society like women, are senior Commission was stagnant or in an anti- citizens. The Government have declared a Kerala Calling proposes to woman stand for the past five years. The policy to protect the senior citizens at their include book reviews in its Government could change and reorganise sunset of life, ignored by the offspring and pages. Authors who wish to the Commission. Vigil societies have relatives. To implement this policy, publish write ups on their books already been set up from state level to grama monitoring cells have been formed in may kindly forward two copies panchayat level. Needless to say, the district / state level. A nodal agency has of the book by courier to the activities of Women’s Commission in the been appointed to implement old age State are alive and kicking. policy. By the time this Government have Pension for the physically challenged has Editor come into power, the Women’s been enhanced to Rs.160. Project for the Kerala Calling Development Corporation became a rehabilitation of physically challenged has Information and Public synonym of corruption and incompetence. been started in Kollam, Palakkad and Relations Department Works are on to overhaul it from head to Kasaragod districts. Reservation has been First Floor, Secretariat Annexe toe. For that the Corporation has been introduced in Class I and Class II posts for Thiruvananthapuram- 695 001 reorganised and a new Managing Director the physically challenged. The power to has been appointed. appoint the physically challenged has been Kisori Sakthi Yojana, the Centrally- given to PSC. By this, 350 persons got Book review by eminent envisaged programme to improve health- appointments as per filling backlog vacancies. personalities will also be dietary status and to uplift the social Rs.40.25 has been allotted for the treatment accepted. position of the teenage girls, has been started of 1358 physically challenged through in 163 projects. It was a deserted project Physically Disabled Relief Project.

From page 75 crore, this has reached a record of Rs.44 Loans to the tune of Rs.10,080 lakh were crore. distributed till December 31, 2007. Growth in income… Kerala Finance Corporation The growth rate is 205 per cent and in efficiency as well The payment arrears in Kerala Finance compared to the growth in the same Corporation (KFC) is being solved period last year. through one time settlement (OTS). Five National Savings Scheme banks and it was decided to give more hundred such cases have been solved interest to senior citizens. The Central Government policies through OTS. Two hundred and twelve are creating hurdles in the National Kerala State Financial Enterprises units were sanctioned reviving packages. Savings Scheme. Non-increase of the The Kerala State Financial Enterprises interest rates and stopping the bonus of is on a path to progress and modernisation. the monthly income scheme have The chit collection of KSFE in 2005-06 drastically affected the Savings Scheme. recorded at Rs.158 crore has been increased The Ponnona Chits introduced during last The aim was to collect Rs.2700 crore as to Rs. 187 crore in 2006-07. In 2007- surplus funds. Due to these policies no 08, it has crossed Rs 260 crore. The Onam and the Golden money could be collected. This has led to Ponnona chits introduced during last Jubilee Chits introduced a situation in which the lives of thousands Onam and the golden jubilee chits last year exceeded their of people who work for the National introduced last year exceeded their target. target. In the last Savings Scheme have been affected. The In the last financial year chit business financial year chit pressures brought by the state government exceeded Rs. 110 crore which is a by bringing these people have brought remarkable achievement of KSFE in its business exceeded Rs. 110 crore which is a some change. The Central Government history. This is the result of the joint efforts was forced to reinstate the five per cent of the employees, management and the remarkable achievement bonus for the monthly income scheme government. The additional target decided of KSFE in its history. and tax concessions for five-year term for the Pravasibandhu chits was Rs.15 deposits.

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s part of the Government initiative to reduce bad debt under the one time settlement scheme, interest to the tune of Rs.270 crore was waived. Further, loans upto Rs A two lakh given to farmers who later committed suicide were written off. Rs.187 lakh was written off by cooperative societies in this manner. Co-operation necessary for survival

ven staunch critics will agree that that the people got essential commodities at fair the Left Democratic Government prices. The co-operative movement made fruitful Ewas able to revive and give new interventions in sectors like education, medical sense of direction to the co-operative treatment, cultural activities, strengthening of the movement in Kerala during the last two years Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sanghom and in power. promoting cooperation among cultural activities. When this Government assumed power, While poverty eradication, food security, the cooperation sector was in total anarchy. availability of employment etc. becomes outside The very credibility of the sector was at stake agenda items, international concepts the with bad debt mounting to thousands of crores Government of Kerala was able to become an on the one side and approaches, which were alternative power. Whereas the projects and G. Sudhakaran not investor friendly on the other side. This schemes progress at snail’s pace and activities of Minister for Co-operation, Government adopted uncompromising the private entrepreneurs lose credibility and fail Coir and Devaswom attitude against the corrupt. Further, the to give results, cooperative sector managed to get a Government took steps to diversify the decent place in every field it entered. activities of the co-operation sector. During the last two years, this Department The LDF Government was able to took remedial action in more than 15,000 convince the general public that co-operative complaints. This is an indicator of the growing movement embraced every walk of the life of trust people have in the cooperative movement. the general public and not just promoting The Government took strong steps to disperse investments and distribution of loans. Co- loans with low interest rates to the farmers. Kerala operatives of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled is the only State in India that was able to provide Tribes and women were revived to ensure short-term loans at just four per cent interest. Stern timely assistance to the weaker sections. These action has been taken against cooperative societies efforts became very strong models against rise that showed reluctance to disburse loan to the in price of essential commodities. More than farmers. 3300 sales outlets were established to ensure As part of the Government initiative to reduce

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G. Sudhakaran, Minister for Co-operation, distributing loan under the aegis of Kerala Women’s Co-operative Federation. bad debt under the one time settlement sector. In contrast to the cut throat technical educational institution is to be scheme, interest to the tune of Rs.270 exploitation of self financing colleges, started there. crore was waived. Further, loans upto cooperative sector runs colleges levying Steps were initiated to revive SPCS, Rs.two lakh given to farmers who later only the fee prescribed by the which is the most famous cooperative of committed suicide were written off. Government. The Pariyaram Medical writers. The arrears of due to the literary Rs.187 lakh was written off by cooperative College in cooperative sector was notorious men were paid and when it was decided societies in this manner. Since this for corrupt practices. The Government was to publish 33 more books, the institution Government took up the reigns the able to stop all such corrupt practices shows symptoms of sprouting afresh. cooperative sector extended benefits to the through strong interventions. This sector Government also amended tune of Rs.3100 crore to the people of launched many new educational cooperative laws and rules wherever they Kerala. institutions and courses. The Scooter’s were redundant. Cooperative Congress A special package was evolved for Factory at Punnapra in Alappuzha district was organised, after a gap of eight years, to Wayanad, Kasaragod and Palakkad putting was taken over and a new cooperative discuss the new trends in cooperative sector. an end to the suicide of farmers. Loans to Steps were initiated to appoint a Director the tune of Rs.112.15 crore give to farmers General of Audit, with a view to strengthen from these three districts were written off. When the people of audit system. When the people of Kerala were in Kerala were in the grip of A cooperative vigilance system was set the grip of diabolic price rise of essential diabolic price rise of up under police officers in the rank of DIG. commodities, the cooperative sector came To ensure quality service from the forward with very strong remedial action. essential commodities, the cooperative sector came cooperative sector, Government intends to The cooperative sector, through appoint an Ombudsman. Further, it is Consumerfed and primary cooperative forward with very strongThe planned to open 1000 ATM counters with societies, gave commodities to Keralites at remedial action. the help of State Cooperative Bank, prices 35 per cent less than market price. cooperative sector, District Cooperative and other cooperative During the four festival seasons when price through Consumerfed banking institutions. This sector marches rise is at the maximum, the market and primary cooperative ahead with many programmes including intervention was regularly done. So also societies, gave constitution of more cooperative societies when the price of rice rose beyond normal commodities to Keralites and other welfare activates. level, rice was distributed at fair prices Coir through cooperative rice markets. at prices 35 per cent less than market price. During the last two years, the The cooperative sector is all set for a Government was able to effect long-term giant leap in the cooperative educational changes in this traditional industry field.

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¦ Strong steps taken to disperse loans with low interest rates to the farmers Among traditional industries coir got was organised for the export of coir ¦ Special package evolved for maximum priority. The Government spent products. In the non-traditional sector Wayanad, Kasaragod and Palakkad Rs.24 crore to give old-age pension to coir LDF Government took the imitative to putting an end to the suicide of labourers. Whereas the previous establish new defibering units and to farmers. government had left unpaid the pension increased international consumption of ¦ Steps initiated to revive SPCS of the coir labourers for 32 months, the new materials. About 5000 outlets for sales present Government has paid pension due of coir products are being opened in the ¦ Bill to bring all appointments to to them till March 2008. And the amount State. Further, steps to market coir products the administrative posts of of pension per person per month was through out India have been taken. A Devaswom under the purview of doubled – from Rs.100 to Rs.200. In the project to rejuvenate Coirfed, the apex the Public Service Commission case of other benefits and welfare measures, body of coir cooperation has been the amount has been raised by two to three prepared. times. Due importance was given to research To find international market for the and development in coir industry and coir products, all efforts were taken to priorities in the sector were decided. establish a brand image. A coir census was Projects to train labourers in spinning coir completed within specific time limit. The and make products that call for great skills data from the census provide a basis for all have been progressing. further planning in the field. A coir This Government led by labour commission was constituted to study and movements and always in the side of the submit recommendations for the people is doing its maximum for the A coir census was reorganisation of coir sector in Kerala. progress of the coir sector. But on occasions completed withinThe During yester years, eradicating the the retrograde policies of the Central specific time limit. exploitation of the ‘Depots’ was just an oft Government lead the industry to face data from the census repeated slogan. critical situations. Winding up the rebate provide a basis for all But the LDF Government system, and imposing the minimum export implemented a strong alternative, Coir price and minimum purchase price have further planning in the Purchase Price Stability Programme and it resulted in cruel exploitation of the field. A coir commission was found effective. During the regime of labourers. Moves to resist these have to was constituted to study and submit the previous ministry coir sector was sadly become reality. neglected. Inability to compete and lack Devaswom recommendations for of capital led to the crash of the industry. The Devaswom administration has reorganisation of coir This Government during the first year itself been widely discussed during the last two sector in Kerala. granted Rs.1986 crore for the rejuvenation years because of the epoch making of coir cooperative society. Whenever coir legislations and the strong actions of the products were not moving in the market Government against corruption. For the and buffer stocks resulted, Government first time a lady and a member of the intervened. Products worth more than scheduled caste were appointed members Rs.13 crores were bought under distress of the Devaswom Boards of purchase scheme. A special programme and Kochi. A bill to bring all appointments

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to the administrative posts of Devaswom appointed an Ombudsman to enquire into parking complex at Guruvayoor, and a under the purview of the Public Service the corruption in Travancore and Kochi new college at Alappuzha have been Commission was passed. Devaswom Boards. opened. The Government also ensured the Further, legislation to constitute a The cabinet after detailed discussions coordinated service of more than 10,000 Malabar Devaswom Board was brought approved the master plan prepared by service minded officers during the in. This was a long-standing wish of the ‘Ecosmart’ on the development of Sabarimala pilgrim season of 2007-08. people, a main item of the election Sabarimala. Rs.85 lakh was distributed for Better medical facilities were offered manifesto of the LDF and a promise of the renovation of the temples of Malabar. utilising the service of the Government, the minister on the floor of the legislative Steps were taken for the development of a cooperative and private sectors. Medical assembly. The previous government had memorial for Poonthanam. and paramedical staff from cooperative brought in an ordinance fearing the court, Steps to set up a super speciality medical college and hospital were deputed but it was not implemented due to hospital at Pathanamthitta to cater to the for duty at Sabarimala. Ayyappa Service superstitious believes. needs of the pilgrims to Sabarimala have Centres under five district cooperative It was decided to open a super speciality been initiated. Further, a hospital and banks were set up. Pilgrims were provided

G. Sudhakaran, Minister for Co-operation, inaugurating the total computerisation of Consumerfed inThiruvananthapuram. hospital under the Guruvayoor one kg. each rice at Pamba at Rs.14/kg. Devaswom Board. The appointments to ‘Annadana’ or offering of food to pilgrims the administrative service posts of the Welfare of the were provided at three centres set up by Guruvayoor Devaswom have been left to Guruvayoor Devaswom. Rs.15 lakh worth the Public Service Commission. Further, common people, of medicines were made available during this Government opened the way for complete transparency the pilgrimage season. About 350 lakh legislation to ensure that all under of action, strong stand people came for darshan at Sabarimala. distress in Kerala get relief from the against corruption – Revenue was Rs.93 crores, increase of two Guruvayoor Devaswom Board. Active the Government will crores over the previous years. discussion and active growth is the slogan It was ordered that the stock of gold in of the Devaswom. not deviate from these policies and there will the Devaswom should be verified. So also After the LDF assumed power, all be the guiding the lands owned by Devaswoms were petitions about corruption in Travancore principles of surveyed and encroachers were evicted. and Kochi Devaswom Boards have been Welfare of the common people, investigated. In major cases Vigilance cooperation, coir and Devaswom complete transparency of action, strong enquiry has been ordered. Government stand against corruption – the requested the Hon. High Court to include departments in future Government will not deviate from these corruption in Kochi Devaswom Board also also. policies and these will be the guiding among the terms of reference of justice principles of cooperation, coir and Paripoornan Commission appointed by Devaswom departments in future the Court. Based on this the Hon. Court also.

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his government is successful in achieving efficiency in financial management. No new restrictions on treasury for expenditure have been brought about. In fact, the T existing restrictions have been waived. Growth in income and efficiency

he Left Democratic Front Government the state. The income growth has been achieved at have completed two years in power. Three 17 per cent per annum and reducing the increase Tbudgets were presented in the Assembly of revenue expenditure at 8 to 9 per cent, a during this period. The first one was a correction disciplined system has been brought into effect to to the budget of the previous government. Not abolish revenue deficit by 2010-11. Growth in small corrections; massive redoing that was income is essential for the success of this. The proof demanded by the State was pointed out in the of how this can be achieved is the growth in the first budget itself. During this period great strides last two years’ income tax collection. In 2006-07, were made in improving the financial status of this was 22 per cent and in 2007-08, it was 17 the State according to the policies of the Left per cent. Value Added Tax (VAT) growth in two Democratic Front. years was 74 per cent. By adopting a disciplined Dr T.M. Thomas Issac The former government adopted the policy and scientific approach in tax collection in the Minister for Finance of reducing expenditure mechanically. Freezing coming year, the success can be repeated. the welfare incentives and squeezing employees When the revenue deficit becomes zero in and pensioners, steps to close down and disinvest 2010-11, there will be remarkable change in public sector enterprises and total ban on capital expenditure. This will provide great recruitment were the steps adopted by the former opportunity to invest for developmental projects government to improve the financial position of through loans once the revenue deficit becomes the State. The society in Kerala had made it clear zero. This will help in spending Rs.6,000 crore that this approach was not politically acceptable. annually for capital investments even after The approach of the Left Democratic Front is complying with the central government norms. entirely different. In austerity measures, the We should be ready for this giant leap. In this approach was not unilateral. The approach was financial year itself initiatives towards this will have towards improving the financial position by to be started. For acquisition of land for increasing the income and improving efficiency. developmental programmes and for drinking water This approach has become successful and projects, roads, bridges etc., sanctions to the tune there is considerable increase in the tax income of of Rs.1,000 crore is being given this year. On the

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Dr Thomas Issac, Minister for Finance, realeasing Citizen’s charter for treasuries at Alappuzha. foundation of an improving financial rates on time for the construction materials distributed 55 months’ welfare pensions. system, preparations are under way in this had led to a situation of Tender Excess. This government has released the welfare financial year itself to take a giant leap in Only after eliminating this, the efficiency pension arrears for 31 months kept capital expenditure. of expenditure for construction activities pending by the previous government. For Financial Management can be improved. So far, the arrears due to this Rs.700 crore was spent. All welfare This government is successful in contractors have been reduced to below pensions till March were paid. Not only achieving efficiency in financial the half mark. In 2007-08, Rs.1,600 crore have the dues been cleared but the amount management. No new restrictions on was paid as arrear clearance to contractors. has also been increased. Pensions in the treasury for expenditure have been Initiatives have been taken to renew the range of Rs.100-110 were raised to brought about. In fact, the existing PWD rates every year. Rs.200. Efforts are being taken to restrictions have been waived. In the last Liberalising welfare measures distribute this on a regular basis. A new financial year, there were no restrictions In its 24 months in power, the Left welfare fund has been started for the imposed to encash for project Democratic Front Government have traditional pre-school teachers expenditures. Usually, for clearance of bills (nilathezhuthu asanmar) and lime shell above the specified amounts required, the workers. Steps were also taken to release Ways and Means Clearance from the the government share to various welfare Finance department was insisted upon. boards. As part of the welfare funds for But in the last financial year no such wer, the anganwadi workers a new pension restrictions were imposed. In its 24 months in po scheme has been created. Steps to improve the efficiency of the Left Democratic Front Liberal support to traditional sector expenditure were undertaken. Efforts are government has ’ The UDF government adopted an being made to clear the pending arrears of distributed 55 months approach which totally sidelined the the public works contractors so that welfare pensions. This traditional sector where lakhs of ordinary competitive bidding tenders can be called government has released workers are employed. This government for construction works. When the United gives special emphasis to ensure sufficient the welfare pension arrears budgetary allocation for coir, handloom Democratic Front government left power, for 31 months kept the pending arrears for 22 months were and cashew industry. due to the contractors. This was one of the pending by the previous In the history of the State, highest major burdens of our government. It took government. For this budgetary allocation for coir sector was 22 months to clear the bills of the Rs.700 crore was spent. made last year. In 2006-07, Rs.51.75 crore contractors after submission of the bills on All welfare pensions till and in 2007-08, Rs.53 crore were completion of the work. The contractors March were paid. allocated for this sector. In 2005-06 when take up the work considering this delay. the UDF left power, this was merely Rs.23 This delay and non-revision of the PWD crore. The finance department has given

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full support to implement the special reduction in the salary of the employees. packages aimed at the revival of public To solve this, the last six scales in the pay sector units and cooperatives in the coir structure were improved and an order was sector. The government loan of Rs.22.48 issued to this effect. This has benefited crore given to cooperatives was converted the last six pay grades including the part to joint shares. Interest to the tune of time employees. We have proved our Rs.18.40 crore was written off. The commitment to those who get the lowest pending arrears amounting to Rs. 15.27 salary in service. Orders were issued to solve crore as part of the NCDC loan were also disparities arisen due to pay revision. converted as shares. This step was taken to The wages of casual sweepers have create a clean balance sheet for the coir been revised to Rs.1,000 from Rs.600. Part ¦ Planned scheme for wiping our cooperatives and allowing them to take time sweepers’ posts were permitted in revenue deficit by 2010 loans on commercial basis for proper offices with more than 100 sq.m of ¦ Remarkable increase in revenue functioning. The coir cooperative societies sweeping area. The norms to assess the collection were given grants amounting to Rs.19.86 sweeping area of an office were also crore. For the revival of Coirfed Rs. eight liberalised and thus the casual sweepers ¦ Increase of Rs.1000 crore in crore has been allocated. were raised to the position of part time sales tax collection in the year For the renovation of public sector sweepers. The government is committed 2007-08 units such as Capex and Cashew to the protection of last grade employees. ¦ Vat collection increased to Development Corporation, budgetary Unlike in the past history of Rs.5132 crore from Rs.2946 assistance was provided. To pay the government employees, the arrears of crore; 74 per cent increase gratuity arrears of workers, Rs. 24 crore dearness allowance (DA) was brought to within two years was released step by step to this sector. Tax nil. The dearness allowance announced by waivers were also given to protect the ¦ Cleared all welfare pensions the central government in March is the industry. pending only pending due. Never in the recent past Revival of Public Sector Enterprises had employees of Kerala had such an ¦ Revamp package to KSRTC and The UDF government had adopted achievement. Many times during the UDF Water Authority the policy of privatising the public sector rule, agitations were carried out to claim enterprises. But the LDF government is DA arrears. In this fiscal year, employees following the policy of reviving them. The and pensioners were paid 27 per cent of Finance department has given full support their basic pay as DA. In the last fiscal year, to this by clearing the balance sheet of the Rs. 2,948 crore was paid to clear DA companies and giving crucial guidance. In arrears. Of the 32 per cent DA, 10 per the last two years, great support has been given in the budget to clear the bank loans in a one-time settlement and getting The government loan of working capital. Our government has Accident Insurance Rs.22.48 crore given to spent Rs.102.79 crore during this period cooperatives was to protect the public sector. The budget Scheme for the government employees converted to joint shares. 2008-09 has allocated Rs.50 crore for Interest to the tune of public sector unit revival and has come into force. Rs.18.40 crore was reorganisation. On an annual . The pending Government employees, Pensioners premium of Rs.50, Rs. written off The government has adopted a 7 lakh is the sum arrears amounting to Rs. friendly approach to government assured. This scheme is 15.27 crore as part of the employees and pensioners unlike the past. applicable to NCDC were also We have inherited the backlash of the UDF converted as shares. employees of aided policies which snatched away the welfare educational measures and rights of the government employees. We were able to correct these institutions, and ensure provision of improved welfare universities, panchayats measures. and municipal The UDF Government had corporations. implemented the pay commission’s report without any discussion. The result was

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cent was the arrears of the former lotteries from other states. The former government. government took the stand that the State Government could not take action against Accident Insurance Scheme for the th government employees has come into The main reform in the the violation of the 4 Section of the force. On an annual premium of Rs.50, treasury department is Central Lottery Act. The case pending with Rs. seven lakh is the sum assured. This the release of the the Supreme Court now. The State scheme is also applicable to employees of Government has made special plea before Citizen’s Right Charter. the Supreme Court for an immediate aided educational institutions, universities, On January 15, 2008, panchayats and municipal corporations. ruling. Special panel of eminent advocates the Charter came into has been formed to deal the lottery cases. LDF government has a humane approach towards the pensioners. For the effect in 202 treasuries of The tax on paper lottery has been first time in the history of the State the state. The Citizen’s raised from Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. seven lakh pensioners received the DA arrears before Right Charter ensures and for bumper lottery the tax has been the employees. efficiency and timeliness raised to Rs.17 lakh from Rs.10 lakh. We hope that by August all are in the services of the Revival of State Lottery benefited from the one rank one pension treasuries. Four new lotteries were started after scheme. Pension has been revised for the we came into power. In 2006-07, the turn over from State lotteries was Rs.236 crore. This has increased to Rs.333.85 crore, with a growth of 41.37 per cent. Many administrative initiatives to strengthen the State lottery department have been taken. Steps for the smooth distribution of prizes have already been taken. Legal steps to develop and ensure inclusion of lottery workers also under the existing welfare scheme for lottery agents were also taken. The government has decided to give one per cent of the tax income of the lottery department to the welfare fund. Treasury Department The main reform in the treasury department is the release of the Citizen’s Charter. On January 15, 2008, the Charter came into effect in 202 treasuries of the state. The Citizen’s Charter ensures time being to give the benefits to all. It has the announcement that this is efficiency and timeliness in the services of been decided to give interest to the pension unconstitutional, there is a big hurdle in the treasuries. On the basis of this it has arrears due from1st April 2007. tax collection. Great efforts are being taken been decided to conduct social audit. In Steps favouring the employees in to solve this problem. Efforts are being the last fiscal year nine more treasuries have identifying the vacancies of aided school made to implement a rule with the become functional for the first time in the and college sector for teaching and non- approval of the President of India to collect history of the state. Among these, the teaching staff are underway. entrance tax. Also, attempts are made to treasuries at Walayar, Naduppooni and Tax department- income from tax plug the holes of tax evasion by scientific Gopalapuram attached to the check posts The approach is to increase the income analysis of the data on goods entry work round the clock. This is for the first from tax by improving the efficiency of through check posts. time in the country such a system has tax administration. In 2005-06, the Department of Lotteries become operational. Four treasuries income from VAT was Rs.2,946 crore and There are two ways adopted in functioning in rented buildings have been this has increased to Rs. 5,132 crore in running the lottery. 1) Stringent measures moved into government buildings. In 95 2007-08. This is a growth rate of 74 per will be taken to control lotteries of other treasuries, online system has been cent in 24 months. This is an all-time states, 2) Initiatives to develop and implemented in association with banks . record even in the country. Entrance tax strengthen state lotteries. The interest rates offered by treasuries was the main component in the taxation The State Government has adopted were raised to the equivalent of nationalised of goods brought to the State. Following stringent legal measures against illegal Contd. on page 80

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From page 67 due to the non-allocation of money in the New Life for Health budget by the previous government. Another section of people, who are It can be said that the Women’s hapless in the society like women, are senior Commission was stagnant or in an anti- citizens. The Government have declared a Kerala Calling proposes to woman stand for the past five years. The policy to protect the senior citizens at their include book reviews in its Government could change and reorganise sunset of life, ignored by the offspring and pages. Authors who wish to the Commission. Vigil societies have relatives. To implement this policy, publish write ups on their books already been set up from state level to grama monitoring cells have been formed in may kindly forward two copies panchayat level. Needless to say, the district / state level. A nodal agency has of the book by courier to the activities of Women’s Commission in the been appointed to implement old age State are alive and kicking. policy. By the time this Government have Pension for the physically challenged has Editor come into power, the Women’s been enhanced to Rs.160. Project for the Kerala Calling Development Corporation became a rehabilitation of physically challenged has Information and Public synonym of corruption and incompetence. been started in Kollam, Palakkad and Relations Department Works are on to overhaul it from head to Kasaragod districts. Reservation has been First Floor, Secretariat Annexe toe. For that the Corporation has been introduced in Class I and Class II posts for Thiruvananthapuram- 695 001 reorganised and a new Managing Director the physically challenged. The power to has been appointed. appoint the physically challenged has been Kisori Sakthi Yojana, the Centrally- given to PSC. By this, 350 persons got Book review by eminent envisaged programme to improve health- appointments as per filling backlog vacancies. personalities will also be dietary status and to uplift the social Rs.40.25 has been allotted for the treatment accepted. position of the teenage girls, has been started of 1358 physically challenged through in 163 projects. It was a deserted project Physically Disabled Relief Project.

From page 75 crore, this has reached a record of Rs.44 Loans to the tune of Rs.10,080 lakh were crore. distributed till December 31, 2007. Growth in income… Kerala Finance Corporation The growth rate is 205 per cent and in efficiency as well The payment arrears in Kerala Finance compared to the growth in the same Corporation (KFC) is being solved period last year. through one time settlement (OTS). Five National Savings Scheme banks and it was decided to give more hundred such cases have been solved interest to senior citizens. The Central Government policies through OTS. Two hundred and twelve are creating hurdles in the National Kerala State Financial Enterprises units were sanctioned reviving packages. Savings Scheme. Non-increase of the The Kerala State Financial Enterprises interest rates and stopping the bonus of is on a path to progress and modernisation. the monthly income scheme have The chit collection of KSFE in 2005-06 drastically affected the Savings Scheme. recorded at Rs.158 crore has been increased The Ponnona Chits introduced during last The aim was to collect Rs.2700 crore as to Rs. 187 crore in 2006-07. In 2007- surplus funds. Due to these policies no 08, it has crossed Rs 260 crore. The Onam and the Golden money could be collected. This has led to Ponnona chits introduced during last Jubilee Chits introduced a situation in which the lives of thousands Onam and the golden jubilee chits last year exceeded their of people who work for the National introduced last year exceeded their target. target. In the last Savings Scheme have been affected. The In the last financial year chit business financial year chit pressures brought by the state government exceeded Rs. 110 crore which is a by bringing these people have brought remarkable achievement of KSFE in its business exceeded Rs. 110 crore which is a some change. The Central Government history. This is the result of the joint efforts was forced to reinstate the five per cent of the employees, management and the remarkable achievement bonus for the monthly income scheme government. The additional target decided of KSFE in its history. and tax concessions for five-year term for the Pravasibandhu chits was Rs.15 deposits.

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or the construction of Vizhinjam Port, five consortia submitted tenders and the preliminary evaluation is complete. The technical evaluation has been started by F a committee presided by the Chief Secretary. KITCO has been entrusted with the feasibility study of Special Economic Zone in Vizhinjam. Young Blood for Sports Arena

he Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry be implemented in all the districts within two years. successfully made great strides in the The Government plans to build a play ground Tdevelopment of sports. The in a ward, a mini stadium or a swimming pool in a Government is committed to training the panchayat. For this, Rs. 4.10 crore was given to sportspersons to compete in international 43 panchayats and 52 schools. Apart from this, events. The Government is giving special through the Sports Council Rs. 4 crore will be emphasis to modernisation of ports and given to meet the expenditures for building these starting the construction work of Vizhinjam facilities. Kerala is selected for the implementation Port. Appointment of the Law Reforms of the pilot project “Khel Abhiyan” of the Central Commission and complete computerisation of Government. Law Department are among the major The first phase of the Rs.7 crore High Altitude achievements. M. Vijayakumar Training Centre at Munnar has been inaugurated. Sports Minister for Law and This is the third training centre in the world of its Parliamentary Affairs The State Sports Council and the District kind. The training for the Beijing Olympics is Sports Council were formed. The Government being undertaken here now. The second phase of took all efforts to bring the National Games in the centre will be completed within two years with 2009 to the State. If accepted, it will be a rare the support of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) opportunity for Kerala. Physical education for and Indian Olympic Association. students from class 4 to 12 made compulsory. The construction of Aquatic Complex, The preliminary work for complete Physical Pirappancode is progressing and it will be Efficiency Programme has been started. commissioned in 2008. The synthetic track in Vision Asia Scheme of the Asian Football Kochi was completed spending Rs. 4.7 crore. The Federation has introduced in the State. Thirty renovation of the Jimmy George Stadium in students from selected districts are getting Thiruvananthapuram is completed and decided training at international standards. This will to make it fully air conditioned this year. A

May 2008 77 KERALA CALLING Photo: Rajan Karimoola Children’s display at Kozhikkode as part of the inauguration of Vision India Project swimming pool of international standard In 2007, the Youth Forum was academy at and its sub centre will be constructed alongside of the Water successfully organised. The job fair in Muzhuppilangad, awards for clubs and Works swimming pool. organised as part of this has helped 682 individuals by Kerala State Youth Welfare In Malappuram, a football academy people to find jobs. Board to encourage social commitment are and sports complex at the cost of Rs. 25 The Kerelotsavam has been organised established. crore will be built. Under the sports quota, successfully. ‘Jalakam’, a project to make To conduct self-employment training, 100 persons were appointed covering 20 advantages of information technology, is 91 youth clubs selected from all districts persons per year which was pending for being successfully implemented in were given an amount of Rs. 18,50,000. the last five years. Decision to restart the Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and In 2007, 80 youth clubs were given an appointments in the Police Department Ernakulam. A website for this has been assistance totalling to Rs.3,50,000. under sports quota, which was pending designed. During the same period steps to provide for the past one decade, had also been ‘Yuvakarmasena’, a youth team for sports kit to 234 clubs were completed. taken. handling disasters and an adventure For the union leaders of all the The cash award arrears are now being Universities in Kerala three camps disbursed. Seventeen winners of the Asian comprising 100 persons from each region Games were awarded with a total of The Government took will be conducted in Rs.22,50,000. Rs.26,86,000 was spent all efforts to bring the Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and to give medals and cash award to National Games in Kozhikode districts. sportspersons who had excelled in Asian The youth will be provided an Games and Cricketer Sreesanth. The 2009 to the State. The Chief Minister had opportunity to get trained in boat barge awards were given to 242 sports persons driving and engine mechanism in Kochi for National Games, 44 in SAF Games taken direct initiative in and enable them to gain the license issued and 528 sports persons of 2003-04. The this regard, and paid the jointly by the Mercantile Marine State Sports Commission will be bid amount of Rs.1 Department and Irrigation Department. appointed soon. crore. The State is The Youth Welfare Board will pay the fees Youth Welfare Board optimistic that the and each person undergoing training will A project, ‘Yuvasakthi,’ is underway 2009 National Games be given a stipend of Rs.1, 000. In one to provide guidance to youth on will be given to it. This batch, 30 students will be trained. employment, coaching classes, sports and will be a rare Aviation so on. Initiatives to create a Youth Centre opportunity for Kerala. Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation at the Village panchayat level is underway. Technology For this, Rs.80 lakh was sanctioned. Immediate steps to reopen the Rajiv

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¦ Department of Law is fully computerised

¦ Complete Physical Efficiency Programme launched. ¦ The first phase of High Altitude Training Center, Munnar, inaugurated. ¦ ‘Yuvakarmasena’ has been V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister , presenting G V Raja Sports Award to boxing formed in all districts. champion K.C Lekha. ¦ Land acquisition for construction of airport at Kannur and Kozhikode is Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology Kozhikode station, development of progressing . was taken. Two Sesna aircrafts worth Rs.2 Kochuveli station, electrification of lines crore had been bought. For flying training, in the Trivandrum- and ¦ A commission is constituted to appointments of staff had been made and reform the laws in the State. Thrissur- routes, permission for flying license from the Director General the construction 67 over bridges and ¦ Permanent Lok Adalat of Aviation had been obtained. doubling of the Ernakulam-Kottayam- established in Applications for the first batch of trainees Kayamkulam-Ambalppuzha tracks were Thiruvananthapuram. have been called. The training which was our achievements in the 2007-08 budget. not conducted for the past six years will Considering the increasing passenger be resumed. traffic, building a passenger corridor from Developmental activities worth Rs 550 Mumbai to Kanyakumari and in view of crore are underway at the Trivandrum the Development of Ports, construction International Airport. Land acquisition for of a freight corridor had been requested to construction of airport at Kannur and the Central Government. Kozhikode is progressing. It has been Decision regarding the Developmental activities decided to acquire 2,000 acres in Kannur implementation of Kochi Metro rail service worth Rs 550 Trivandrumcrore are and 137 acres of land in Kozhikode. with Central aid has been taken. The Railways underway at the Government has decided to form a separate International Airport.o bridges In the Railway Budget 2007-08, company for this and give the k will be Kerala got a decent consideration following responsibility to Metro Rail Terminals withThe aer wor the regular interactions made by the Chief Corporation. are planned. ear. KITCO Minister, the Minister in charge of Department of Law completed this y Railways, Members of Parliament from A commission to reform the laws in had called the tenders for the Kerala with the Prime Minister and Union the State was formed and presided over construction of the approach Railway Minister after this Government by former Supreme Court Judge, Justice road and the bridge across came to power. V.R. Iyer. This was the second Chaka canal. Land acquisition Sanction for establishing a coach attempt after the formation of Kerala State. for this is already on. factory at Palakkad, Wagon factory in The Department of Law is the first Alleppy, EMU car shed in Kollam, comprehensive, fully computerised upgrading the Trivandrum Railway department in the State, perhaps the first Station to international standards, Rs.138 of its kind in the country. Rare books are crore for the doubling of railway lines, digitalised and about 74 lakh pages are survey of the Nanjankode-- thus preserved. Facilities for the common Talassery-Mysore lines, modernisation of man to access the important rules and

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regulations of the Centre-State orders and Permanent Lok Adalat has been signed with Kerala Water documents free of cost have been made. A permanent Lok Adalat was Authority at a cost of Rs.3.89 crore. Steps Efficiency increased the income of the established in Thiruvananthapuram for to find the land has been taken. Legal Benefit Fund. This had helped to the first time in Kerala to deal with cases of The Maritime Development increase the income of the Kerala day-to-day affairs such as transportation, Corporation which was facing the threat Advocates Welfare Fund and Kerala postal, electricity, water distribution and of closure, is now running as a profit- Advocates Clerks Welfare Fund. health services. making establishment. The Thangassery For the first time in the country, Kerala Official Language (Law making) Port in Kollam, which was not functional has prepared the draft policy on Commission for the past few years, was inaugurated. intellectual property rights and held an Seventeen Central Laws were The steps to restart operations at the port international seminar. The policy paper will translated and readied for sales. Bilingual are being undertaken. be released soon. Also, the first IPR print of the Constitution is ready. The Steps to appoint a consultant to make Academy will be opened in Kerala. functioning of the Human Rights the necessary changes in the project report The Law-liaison office, the Advocate- Commission has been improved with the on Alappuzha Port envisaged as a marina- General’s Office in Ernakulam, the appointment of the Chairman. cum-cargo terminal have been completed. Government Pleaders’ offices in all the Ports The Cabinet has sanctioned Rs.30 lakh to districts and the Department of Law at For the construction of Vizhinjam appoint a consultant to hold feasibility the Secretariat were linked online to Port, five consortia submitted tenders and study of port. improve efficiency. This has helped the the preliminary evaluation is complete. Steps to appoint a consultant to Department of Law to directly monitor The technical evaluation has been started the cases and solve it successfully as in by a committee presided by the Chief prepare a detailed project for the Supreme Court cases for charging service Secretary. This will hopefully be completed comprehensive development of Beypore charges from liquor companies in which within four months. KITCO has been Port are completed. Cabinet sanction has the Government was able to save Rs.200 entrusted with the feasibility study of been given for Rs.11.2 crore to construct crore. Special Economic Zone in Vizhinjam. breakwater and wharf in the Azheekkal For the first time in the country, in Investors’ Meet was organised and the port. This port comes under the maritime Kerala, seating arrangements were made Chief Minister presided the meet. Forty development programme of the Union for the litigants who were treated as three companies from all over the country Government. Plans are afoot to open a criminals, using Legal Benefit Fund. A total participated in it. An agreement has been passenger terminal here. of 764 benches in all the courts of Kerala signed with ‘RITES’ to conduct the Parliamentary Affairs with two benches each in each court were feasibility study for building connecting A series of lectures in memory of made at the cost of Rs.75 lakh. Building roads and rail lines with Vizhinjam Port. public conveniences for the litigants in the The cost of this is Rs.45 lakh. For supply stalwarts who had made great court premises is also planned. of water to Vizhinjam Port an agreement contributions to parliamentary democracy was started and Prakash Karat did the first lecture in the series on R. Shankaranarayan and Prof. Sukumar Azhikode did the second in the series on V.K. Krishna Menon. The non-functional Institute of Parliamentary Affairs has been resumed. Posts, including that of the Director- General for the institute were created and appointments were made. This will give training to officials of Department of Land and orientation course to elected representatives. Model Parliament will be organised for students of colleges and schools. The Institute of Parliamentary Affairs will organise an year long EMS birth centenary celebrations. As part of this, international conference, National seminars, discussions and symposiums will M. Vijayakumar, Minister for Sports, distributing awards to the winner in the special olympics held in China. be organised.

May 2008 4 KERALA CALLING PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, releasing the book 50 years of Legislation by presenting a copy to Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the President of India. Lead Kerala in Industry and Technology

The Kerala Legislative Assembly celebrated its golden jubilee recently. Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the President of India, inaugurated the valedictory function of the celebrations. Here is the excerpts from the speech.

consider it a privilege to be here participatory functioning and has the Legislature to express the voice of the with you today to participate in the throughout history shown respect for people; there is the Executive which is IValedictory function of the Golden tolerance and living in harmony. No one subordinate to the Legislature and bound Jubilee Celebrations of the Kerala can forget that the freedom of India was to obey the Legislature." The experience Legislative Assembly. On this occasion, fought and won with the weapons of truth of democratic polity of independent India, I would like to extend my warmest and non-violence. That was a remarkable especially its ability to manage a multi- greetings to the people of Kerala. achievement in history. As an independent cultural, multi-religious, multi-lingual and Celebrating democracy is always a matter nation we chose a Parliamentary form of multi-ethnic society is drawing global of great pride for India. Government. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, attention. India has a long tradition of said "in Parliamentary Democracy, there is

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for Kerala to make a big leap forward into the future. The Legislative Assembly could look at steps that encourage the growth of the key sectors of the economy which have the potential of propelling a dynamic growth trajectory for the State. Among these are the possibilities of Kerala becoming the "knowledge hub" of the region, as also the tourism and health sectors. Tourism is already becoming a major contributor for the development of the State. Kerala has a rich cultural heritage of dance and music as well as the traditional system of medicine - Ayurveda. Their preservation and promotion are important for the State. The health care sector in Kerala has gained international acclaim. But now it faces new challenges that require new solutions. The Legislature should become the harbinger to provide an enabling environment, facilitating innovation and development in these priority sectors. K. Radhakrishnan, Speaker of the House, presenting a memento to the President. In the last five decades, Kerala has The Kerala Legislature has given birth India introduced the system of Standing progressed well in the fields of to many trail blazing enactments. The Committees, the Kerala innovation was education, health and empowerment debates in the Assembly have reverberated one of the precedents taken into of women. Keralites, whether living with demands for social justice as well as consideration. abroad or in India, and working either for the rights of the downtrodden and Today, India is regarded as a leading as administrators, doctors, engineers, women. Over the years, the Legislature of light in the comity of democratic nations scientists, nurses or construction Kerala has successfully served as an of the world. What happens in the workers have earned praise from instrument for political democracy legislature, how it works, how productive everyone. Kerala can be justifiably enabling social change. The progressive are its debates and deliberations have a proud that it is the first state of India socio-economic measures like land reforms, decisive role in shaping the destiny of the where the sex ratio is above the equality labour welfare, debt relief and re- State and the country. That being so, it is ratio with 1058 females per 1000 orientation of education initiated by this the duty of the enlightened society and males. A favourable sex ratio has to be body have helped in ushering in a modern the electorate to constantly watch, and attained and maintained in all states for era of inclusive growth in the State. critically analyse the legislative business for a healthy demographic growth of the The Kerala Assembly has also been a strengthening the democratic process. It is country. pioneer in the field of introducing incumbent on all members of the I am also happy to learn that innovative practices. It made a unique Legislative bodies of India to maintain women in Kerala are at the forefront of contribution by introducing the Subject order and decorum in the House. This is many fields including education, Committees in 1980 as instruments of important for maintaining the stature, medicine, judiciary and engineering Legislative control over the Executive. Ever dignity and respect for democratic amongst others. I would encourage that since their formation, the Standing institutions. empowerment of women be made a Committees of the Kerala Legislative The next challenge for this Assembly main policy plank in all the states. At Assembly have done commendable work is to look at taking the State towards the same time it is a matter of serious and their reports have helped a great deal economic, technological and industrial concern that female infanticide is often to ensure administrative accountability development. I believe that from the practiced in several parts of the country. and to support the weaker sections of platform of its progressive human It has to be curbed at any cost and the society. In fact, when the Parliament of development agenda, it would be possible girl child should get equal opportunity

May 2008 6 KERALA CALLING

to grow and develop in the society. impede the healthy development of will be informative for people, in Kerala leads the country in literacy individuals and a stable society would have particular for the students and the levels and has 100% literacy status. to be done on a priority. youth. It should motivate them to Being the most literate Assembly of In facing the challenges of future, the understand their own responsibility in India, the Kerala Assembly should look participation of people is of great preserving this rich heritage of at measures that will provide significance. In fact, for the democratic processes. continuous encouragement and fresh implementation of the welfare schemes of Today, democracy in Kerala rests on opportunities to the younger generation both the Central Government and the the solid foundation of an educated especially in the fields of modern State Governments, the active and well-informed electorate that has education, employment and involvement of people both as accepted a diversity of views. As we look entrepreneurship. Students and youth beneficiaries and stakeholders is necessary. into the future, it would be realized are the future of the country and it is The Legislature should look at how to that elected bodies would need to be important to prepare them for the ever facilitate the implementation of socio- institutions that are constantly evolving growing challenges of the future. Living economic development programmes in a and responding to new demands in an in a globalised world would require that transparent way, within a stipulated time- environment of rapid technological they learn how to deal comprehensively frame and in a manner that it contributes advancements. The Legislative Assemblies, including that of Kerala, with issues like economic growth with to increasing the overall productivity and will need to look at how to meet the growing aspirations and expectations of the people, especially of the younger generation, to cope with the changing demands of the society without hampering our cherished social and cultural values. How can legislative business be made more effective, and more result-oriented? What improvement can be brought about in the legislative business for example in a critical subject like budget and its utilization? How can performance audit be implemented? How can there be greater transparency and accountability in Government's functioning? How Smt Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the President of India, is being received at can Right to Information be used Thiruvananthapuram air port by the Chief Minister. effectively for better governance? There are several issues that require evaluation. equity, social development, progress of the State. The element of Legislature is an important platform for environment protection and promoting a responsive administration is articulating concerns and difficulties preservation of our heritage and age- the need of the hour. In a democracy this faced by the people and to get redressal. old values. is possible only through greater and I am confident that Kerala Legislative The Legislative Assembly could look effective participation of people in Assembly will respond to issues at addressing social evils and issues governance at all levels. The strengthening regarding the welfare of the people in confronting society today. The growing of the Panchayati Raj institutions is a way an innovative and a pragmatic manner. incidents of the use of alcohol, drugs to achieve this objective. The State While working for the people, the and suicides are alarming. Another issue Legislature has to respond more pro- words of Mahatma Gandhi - man of concern, particularly for Kerala, is the actively to it. becomes great exactly in the degree in growing population of the elderly. Here, I am pleased to note that in connection which he works for the welfare of his I would like to mention that elders in with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of fellow-men - should be your guide. our society need special care and we the Kerala Legislative Assembly, an I conclude by conveying my good must look into their needs and well- exhibition titled "Parliamentary wishes to all present here, and hope that being. Those who have spent their Democracy - Our Heritage and the Kerala Legislative Assembly can be entire life productively should not face Achievements" highlighting different a model and pioneer in building a despair and desperation in the twilight aspects of the democratic institutions in modern India. years of their lives. Effective legislative the State of Kerala and the various stages Thank you, measures to address these issues that in its evolution, has been arranged. This Jai Hind. „

May 2008 84 KERALA CALLING AGRICULTURE FarFarmm

R. Hali high price, after breaking a 30 year old grain import holiday. ndia is on the brink of a farm crisis and terming it as a part of The most important reason attributed a global phenomenon is a feeble attempt to sideline the gravity to the above sensational development is Iof the catastrophe. Many reasons, ranging from globalisation perhaps an unpardonable over confidence to diversion of food grains for bio diesel production, are paraded emerged due to good grain production. before the public by each country according to their presentation Drastic changes made in the policy front skill. In1977, India accomplished a miracle by attaining self- like the near dismantling of the public sufficiency and the nation could build up a mighty food grain procurement system and allowing security system and even help other countries with generous unchecked growth of the private trade food assistance during 1980s. India became an exporter of food into the domain of food grain sector were grains during mid 90s and could net Rs. 7000 crores worth other important factors. Another very foreign exchange from global rice market alone. World got a big serious flaw was the motivation given to jolt in 2006 when India started to import wheat, that too at a the farmers to get away from the grain culture scene and take shelter under the cash crops for their future welfare. In all India is on the brink of a farm the budget speeches made by the union finance ministers since 2002, one of the crisis and terming it as a part of a most prominent pathway suggested for global phenomenon is a feeble farmer’s welfare was an appeal to them to bid good bye to grain farming. This gave a attempt to sideline the gravity of green signal for the total neglect of grain culture sector by all states and now it is the catastrophe. identified as a major reason for creating a suicide wave in the country. The subsequent production drop has resulted

May 2008 85 KERALA CALLING inging newnew mmcultureculture

The most promising among many activities commenced was creation of a system for debt relief to the fff arming community...

pulses, condiments, milk, lakhs of farmers and farm labour have meat, egg, fruits and even left the scene in search of other vegetables. The faulty national enterprises with great sorrow. The public policies and world and efforts put in for rejuvenating regional trade agreements have agriculture sector by the Government very badly affected the of Kerala deserve very special mention. prospects of coconut, areca The most promising among many in the large-scale import of wheat, pulses nut, pepper, cardamom, tea, coffee etc. activities commenced was creation of a and vegetable oil to meet the domestic grown in the state. Those who tried to system for debt relief to the farming demand. brave the adverse situation have become community. Formation of Debt Relief Kerala is perhaps the worst affected the worst victims of a debt trap and many Commission was much lauded as we state due to the decay of farming sector. At of them have chosen to commit suicide, had no model in the country to the time of the formation of the state 50 creating an agony wave in the rural life. emulate. The entire nation was in the years back, we were producing only 50 In this context, revival of the grip of one of the worst disaster due to per cent of the rice required and now our agricultural sector received very special the ever-growing debts of the farmers contribution is less than 20 per cent. At attention during the last 24 months. It leading to a series of suicides. The state present we are at the mercy of other states was a Herculean task, as the problems succeeded really in creating a model for meeting our requirements of rice, facing the farming sector was so acute that that works with an unbelievable

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Another praiseworthy effff ort is the bring to the market over eight lakh tonnes of vegetables creating a escalation of the procurement price significant impact on availability front, of paddy from Rs 7.50 to nine and providing great relief to the consumers. Several massive agricultural now to Rs 10 per Kg... development programmes like Rs 1630 crore Kuttanadu Development Project, courage. The role of Debt Relief trendsetter for bringing rice fallows back Idduki Development Project, Coconut Commission as an infrastructure, to cultivation but for the unfortunate Rehabilitation Project etc. are on the providing relief and confidence to the summer rain. The most important final stages of clearance. The effort put farmers for making large-scale development created due to the price hike in by the development systems for its investments in the farming sector, is was the working system evolved between formulations are really products of very much commendable in the coming the Agriculture, Revenue and Civil strong political will for rejuvenating days. Hence, the creation of the system Supplies Departments in the production farming sector in total. As a part of the may be hailed as a model work done and procurement sectors, which is hailed effort to revamp the extension system with a vision aimed to stabilize the crisis as a farmer friendly paddy procurement to provide strong support to the transfer ridden farm front. model. Finding the farmer’s enthusiasm of technology exercises using the Another praiseworthy effort is the towards the enhanced procurement price, financial assistance provided by the escalation of the procurement price of several private entrepreneurs have come Central Government, Kerala has started paddy from Rs 7.50 to nine and now forward to popularise organic rice culture an agricultural training institute. to Rs 10 per Kg. This has created an and offer a 25 per cent to 40 per cent Training has now been identified as a unprecedented enthusiasm among the price escalation for organically certified very important input to strengthen the farmers and agricultural labourers. paddy. This may pave way for price micro level agricultural activities to make There were reports that area under rice fixation based on quality of paddy in future it more farmer-friendly and profit made an upward trend in kole and by the rice trade agencies. oriented. This is a long felt need and if kuttanad. It would have been a Another significant contribution made properly organised, may prove to be a as the part of rice farmer’s welfare was the very valuable asset. commencement of Kisansree, a programme The crisis facing the farm front at for providing insurance cover to five lakhs the state level is perhaps more farmers. This could be hailed as a complicated than we usually assume. trendsetter in the national farming front Our problem becomes more also. The significance of the programme troublesome as we have to market 80 will come to light only when we scan the per cent of our produce outside the details of the programmes created State. The cash crop dominated exclusively for the welfare of the farmers. agricultural system is more vulnerable During the last five decades several schemes to the changes happening in the and projects were implemented for national and international markets. On enhancing production and marketing several occasions, policies taken at the sectors. But it is very difficult to find an national level prove to be unfriendly to exlusive programme with a single objective the interests of the farmers in Kerala. for farmer welfare. In this context, Liberalised import of palm oil, rubber, Kisansree programme deserves special spice etc. may be very important at the recognition even at the national level. national level due to various policy Another noteworthy programme was decisions taken as a part of global and the mass production of vegetables tried at regional trade agreements. But it really Idukki district, which will be extended to kill the growth and prosperity of our 1000 panchayaths. The programme aims farming sector. In this context, the at a micro level linkage between producer agriculture situation in Kerala demands and consumer so that the farmer will get more vigilance and care than ever premium price and later could enjoy before. The writer is former Director of quality produce made available at regulated Agriculture, Government of Kerala and former price. The entire programme will be special consultant to M S Swaminathan organised as a movement and so it will Research Foundation, Chennai.

May 2008 87 KERALA CALLING EDUCATION translating Policies into action

Dr. Achuthsankar S. Nair

uality and Excellence are two key words that have increased The higher their currency in the global age. That crude notions about education community Qquality (=good) and excellence (=best among available) still exist in layman’s parlance is pardonable. However it is shame that the needs to constantly same is true with many a higher education institution in our country. discuss, debate and The problem is that there are not many common-sense approaches to Quality, while scholarly definitions are abound, my attempt here is to evolve a 1000-point turn to common-sense to discuss the topic. I shall expand on the scale on the above simple notion of quality as conformance to declared specifications. Do we scale on the above have declared specifications for our higher education system ? lines, covering the Before we discuss the answer to the above question, let us consider whole range of a metaphor — the metaphor of health. If I were to ask you, gentle whole range of reader, “Are you healthy ?”, I wish and activities of higher hope you might say you are. Reasons ? Possibly you look education. healthy. It may be that you feel healthy. But then, ask a doctor …he will ask you to first check your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar… and compare them with accept able levels before passing any judge ment, whatsoever. Meet him an year after, ask the same question and get the same response! Do we have such indicators of quality in higher education, means of measuring them, and a common knowledge about their acceptable levels, as in the case of blood pressure and blood sugar ? Unfortunatley for our country, many institutions of higher learning do not have. Due

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to the welcome awareness about quality, it Accreditation Council (NAAC) has Instead of deep is quite probable that all institutions today identified the following seven criteria to may boast of a quality policy. However to serve as the basis of its assessment integration of IT in translate such policies into action, we need procedures (I would not call them quality teaching and quality indicators. indicators yet): Curricular Aspects; An institution of higher learning can Teaching-Learning and Evaluation; learning,,, many claim attainment of quality when the Research, Consultancy and Extension; institutions remain at institution has evolved an exhaustive list Infrastructure and Learning Resources; of quality indicators; Every stake holder Student Support and Progression; the superficial level of of the institution (students, teachers, Organisation and Management; Healthy using “Power Point administrators, management and parents) Practices. is aware of the above; The institution has Under each of the above head, NAAC Presentations” evolved tools for quantifying and has evolved probes and uses them for which essentially only measuring the quality indicators; The assessing institutions of higher education. which essentially only institution measures and records the Due to the statutory status of NAAC, the represent a colorful quality indicators at pre-determined criteria above have become a sort of blue regular intervals; The institution monitors print for development of the institutions. and convenient the indicators and takes corrective steps It shows remarkable success of NAAC in replacement of the based on each and every quality indicator this regard. However, from the macroscopic that falls out of acceptable ranges. and often qualitative indicators, our black board. The National Assessment and institutions of higher education need to

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move ahead to microscopic indicators of Another good example is that of use quality. If NAAC or other appropriate of information technology. We can count national/state agencies can propose a 500- number of computers per student, point scale or even 1000-point scale, it number of hours of computer access would become the fine blue print for available per student, internet connection achieving quality. availability etc. However, unless we Under extension, we often assess prioritise pedagogy-centric use of IT in institutions of higher education, say, education, we will be ending up with through number of conferences/seminars institutions which merely use computers organised. We may perhaps assign different as a convenient mass media, more fad and scores for international conferences, distraction than a value addition to national conferences, national seminars etc. teaching and learning. There are institutions which specialise in What would be the microscopic conducting seminars as a cottage industry. indicators then ? Consider teaching of They might call an event national just mathematics, for instance. While because one person from the neighbouring Mathematics is admired by state has participated or international, just Mathematicians, every one else seems to because one holidaying foreigner be scared. It is simply because the visual happened was roped in. In a microscopic aspect of mathematics, its symmetry, its view, we would not assign a score against palette of colours, its exquisite beauty and number of seminars, but each of them bundle of surprises and even the music of would be scored based on a detailed scale numbers are under arrest, hidden away as follows. How strict was the peer-review from the eyes and ears, behind the rigorous process ? How well in advance and how symbolism and syntax. Through a widely was the event announced ? Did handful of softwares such as Scilab, it is the event have participation from at least a possible to integrate visualisation into few leading national/international centres teaching and learning of Mathematics, of learning associated with the theme of thereby revolutionising its teaching. Usage the event ? Was a proceedings published ? of Rasmol ( a free software to visualise and Was it published locally or by a reputed analyse molecules) to teach Chemistry can publisher ? Were any citations of the likewise add great value. Instead of such conference papers observed later ? deep integration of IT in teaching and learning, many institutions remain at the superficial level of using “Power Point Presentations” which essentially only represent a colourful and convenient replacement of the black board. The higher education community needs to constantly discuss, debate and evolve a 1000-point scale on the above lines, covering the whole range of activities of higher education. When it is done and popularised by agencies like NAAC or other appropriate national/state agencies, we will be able to talk of real excellence. Excellence starts to emerge when Quality is achieved and maintained on academically supreme quality indicators. Importantly, Excellence does not come through declarations (especially self-declaration), or even ISO Quality Certifications. It is to be understood as an automatic national and international peer recognition. The writer is Hon Director, Centre for Bioinformatics, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 581

May 2008 90 KERALA CALLING CULTURE Theeyattu Dance Celestial

Dr. M.V. Namboodiri

ince ancient times the deity Sastha or Ayyappan is being adored (Worshiped) in Kerala. It is believed that it was Parasurama who brought SSastha and for the protection of the land and the worship of the people. ‘Keralolpathi’ has also the same view. Hence the presence of numerous temples dedicated to Sastha and Bhadrakali. Those places with dense growth of trees considered sacred are the domiciles of deities. Those places where deities like Naga, Sastha, , Vettakkorumakan, Ganapathi etc are designed as ‘Kavus’. Legend says that Parasurama has constructed 108 Sastha kavus, 108 temples. Worship Of Ayyappa Sastha, Bhoothanathan, Bhoothathan and other names of Ayyappan are worshipped in Vedic and non-Vedic lines. ‘Ayyan’ is the ‘god of hunting’. We can find references of ‘Ayyan’ in many folk songs. Sastha has got a place among the ‘Saptadevas’ worshipped in the Thanthric system. There are varieties of worship connected with the rituals and performance of Ayyappan. The ‘Sasthampattu’ of Kallatta Kurups and Theyyampadi Nambiars are the ritualistic performance for the propitiation of Sastha. The Ayyappan pattu and Ayyappan Vilakku performed by the devotees are also form of the worship of ‘Ayyappa’. Ayyappan Theeyattu is an entirely different form of ritualistic performance. It is performed by Theeyati Nambiars. Normally it is prevalent in Malabar area. But these performing forms have wider range. Basic Concepts The deity meant for Ayyappan Theeyattu is, Sastha, the son of and Hara. The main item of Kalampattu/ Thottampattu and the acting away of the story of the origin and bravado of Ayyappan are the basis of this ritualistic PHOTOS: MURALI

May 2008 91 KERALA CALLING

performance. From the ‘Thottam’, we get the information that Sastha; the deity who is in the acme of knowledge in Heaven came down to the earth to be the god of Malanadu under the instruction of Siva. Together with Sastha, it is said that deities like Andimahakalan, Kokkot Bhrandan, Neelan, Neelakattari, Arayilamme, Bhadrakali, Maladevatas and twelve thousand Bhoothas also came here. Ayyappan is adored as a hunting god in the Theeyattu Pattu. Songs in which He is designated as the General of Pandi Raja is also sung in Theeyattu. In several places Ayyappan is called Ayyan, which is a word older than the other one. Theeyattu Performance In Theeyattu, a lot of separate performance like decoration of Pandal, Uchapattu, Kalamezhuthu, Sandhyakkottu, Ezhunnallippu, Kalampooja, Kalampattu, Kalathilattam, Theeyattu and Thiriyuzhichil. A few differences in the order are the differences in the regard varieties of Ayyappan Theeyattu. In Ayyappan Kavus there are permanent places in front of the ‘Sreekovil’ for Theeyattu. Otherwise temporary sheds are to be made for drawing the kalam and enacting the Theeyattu. The place should also be cleaned by cow dung. Ceiling of the Pandal is decorated before Poojas. After performing pooja in favour of Sastha and Ganapathi the Theeyadi Nambiar begins to sing the song with the accompaniment of instruments like Para and Kuzhithalam. It is called Uchappattu. For Theeyattu, preparation of Kalam is very important. After this function drawing of by Nandikeswara to Ayyappa, the story of Ayyappa. Roopakkalam is begun. For these five colours are used – kalathilattam red, black, yellow, white and green. Different figures of An important rite associated with Ayyappan Theeyattu is Sastha are illustrated. After preparing the Kalam, pooja Kalathilattam. Theeyati Nambiars comes to the Kalam in a dress will be conducted by the . After that Theeyati suitable to the Komaram. Wearing white cloth, tying red cloth Nambiars themselves sing the Kalampattu sitting beside around his waist covering his body and hand with Sandal paste, the Kalam. All these songs are extolling the life and bravado putting as the garland that he get from the Sanctum, and getting of Ayyappa. Similarly songs praising the hunting’s of the sword, he moves about as Komaram. It is a type of sword Ayyappa are also sung. dance. During his dance he completely destroys the Kalam. This Theeyattu (Way Of Ayyappan Koothu) is perhaps the most interesting, dramatic, and spectacular scene In certain areas Ayyappan Theeyattu is called Ayyappan in the Theeyattu. When the Komaram dances in the Kalam, other Koothu. The name is given, taking into consideration the Theeyati Nambiars sing songs. dominance of the acting part of it. Theeyati Nambiars During Kalathilattam, Komaram speaks in an oracular manner. decorates himself sitting in front of the sanctum. In These words are believed to be the words of God; people present Ayyappan Theeyattu, the face will not be decorated. A their sorrows and desires in front of Komaram; Komaram proclaim costume (most often red) similar to is put on. solutions for their problems. The end of the scene is the return of A small crown is called ‘pathiyam’ is also warn. There will the sword to the sanctum. be a pleated white dress and additional cloths bound Ayyappan Theeyattu is a performing ritual which has not yet round the waist. While dressing and wearing the jewels, lost its originality. A lot of people gather together in the worship the Nambiars sing songs in praise of Ayyappan. of this village god. Some believe that the performance will keep Then he turns face to face to the sanctum and begins away the worries, troubles and diseases prevalent in the his acting. This is really Ayyappankoothu. The dress of community. In the perspective of performing theory of Ayyappan Ayyappankoothu is representative and symbolic of Theeyattu, undoubtedly it is an excellent art form of supreme Nandikeswara dialogue. It is in the model of a story telling quality.

May 2008 92 KERALA CALLING FISHERIES

rganic OAquaculture Ecofriendly Dr K.S.Purushan aquatic sources. In such context, switching quite often raises doubts whether it is It is well-known that fish food plays over to organic aquaculture has become possible to realise uncontaminated edible an indispensable role in the maintenance expedient to make use of the resources on faunal groups from land-locked aquatic of good health. As such, there is growing the one hand and to take advantage of the habitats. Therefore, it is imperative to awareness today that fish for consumption opportunities on the other. explore the immense prospects of organic should be from hygienic and unpolluted It is a blessing that even in this era of farming in such ecosystems. sources possessing good quality whether it industrialisation and related hazards, the Organic Aquaculture is captured from nature’s bounties or else fishery resources tapped from the sea The cardinal aspect behind organic raised in conducive habitats. Concerned around India is pollution free and is of aquaculture is to generate edible aquatic with the deteriorating trend of fish food good quality. However, such a guarantee faunal groups in tune with environment quality, the UNO and the FAO have been cannot be ensured in the case of fish yielded friendliness. On account of health time and again emphasising the need to from inland water sources. Gradually consciousness, there is an unending maintain quality standards for seafood in increasing trend of aquatic impairment demand for seafood items realised from the interest of public health. The market forces, whether it is domestic or export- oriented, are also acting quite unfriendly It is a that even in this era on the genuine issues and problems raised blessing by the stakeholders. Furthermore, of industrialisation and related certification on the source of production hazards,, the of the items is also insisted upon. In short, hazards,,, the fff ishery resources all the restrictions cunningly imposed for tapped from the sea around India is safeguarding selfish motives are to be fully observed while generating fish from the pollution free and is of good quality...

May 2008 93 KERALA CALLING

aquatic media devoid of disease technology should be sound, producing microbes, organic or ecofriendly and socially inorganic pollutants and acceptable with a view to making pesticide residues. At present, it economically viable. An innovative techniques appropriate strategy with the introducing desirable probiotics consensus, whole-hearted co- to the aquatic environment are also operation and involvement of all employed to attain sustainable production. the stakeholders is to be evolved towards Such techniques are not only capable of technological competence, it is still not achieving the cherished objective. Thus, mitigating pollution impacts, but maintain possible to enhance fish production vis-à- the situation compels to collectively embark suitable and conducive environmental vis our capacities. Analysis of the factors on exploring all chances to produce factors in the medium. In addition, novel for the slow pace of growth definitely will enough food even utilizing the techniques to instantaneously neutralise point towards the weakness of extension unexploited habitats. Ample precautions the metabolites as and when released are programmes. On account of the lack of and adequate care should be taken to also in vogue ensuring healthy status of co-coordinated activities, the break overcome the ill-effects of emerging clauses the ecosystem. through and innovative techniques and guidelines of World Trade Kerala scenario developed in the laboratories are not Organisation. Such a pragmatic decision As far as Kerala farming scenario is properly disseminated to the end users, is unavoidable not only to save the farming concerned, scientific methods can be well who are traditionally engaged in the community, but to ensure national progress adapted in the aquaculture of shrimps and avocation of aquatic crop generation from also. fishes in tune with environmental the wild sources. Thus, it is advisable that Paradigm Shift harmony. The shining example in this awareness campaigns and transfer of To sum up, it is a must to take up regard is the successful practice of technology need be taken up extensively renewable source of bio-energy producing traditional paddy-cum-shrimp filtration amidst farmers, in order to achieve projects and programmes with long-term going on for ages. The profusely available commendable success in fish production. perspectives. The endeavor should be on brackish water environment coupled with Strategic approach conserving ecosystem and environment at a number of gifted and potential species Wise use of the resources with no time leading to degradation of factors such as Penaeus monodon, P. indicus, Mugil committed approach is the present need. associated with normal condition of air, cephalus, Liza parsia, L. macrolepis, Chanos The threat to aquatic bio-security water and land. Commitment to chanos and Etroplus suratensis speak well confronting the globe all around can also demonstrate such an attitude towards for undertaking organic farming. If good be partially overcome by producing equilibrium maintenance would alone management practices are inducted, potential aquatic varieties irrespective of help to derive healthy fish food perpetually optimum yield will be attained sustainably whether it commands domestic or export from the undisturbed natural habitats. within the stipulated time frame during market. However, it is significant that the The writer is Dean, College of Fisheries season. The global seafood production Kerala Agricultural University, scenario is also encouraging such kind of Kochi – 682 506 transformations of fertile ecosystems as aquatic edible crop deriving units for satisfying the human requirements and combating malnutrition. Food Security Similarly, by adopting the aforesaid techniques, the freshwater habitats can also be kindled and enlivened suitably. Priority may be given to the large- scale farming of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii for export. Considering the potential and market demand, Indian major fish such as Catla, Rohu and Mrigal; exotic ones such as grass, silver and common carps can also be farmed aimed at serving food security. Having endowed with very rich natural resources, human potential and

May 2008 94 KERALA CALLING KNOW THE UNKNOWN

butterfly, appropriate larval and adult host plants have been introduced in specific areas based on preferences by various types of butterflies. A selection of host plants for the introduction in the garden is based on the butterfly fauna present in this region. A preliminary survey has been carried out to gather information on the local fauna. Based on the data already available on the host plant preferences of various butterflies, a list of larval and adult host plants of local butterfly was prepared and they were raised in the nursery. A variety of flowering and ornamental plants such as Begonia, Cuphea, Cycas, Rose, Tabernaemontana, Vincarosea, Zinnia etc. has been introduced in the garden in addition to several herbs and shrubs like Lantana, Crotalaria and Clerodendron and milk weeds. nn s Creation of butterfly habitats through W ggs landscaping and introduction of suitable Wii host plants to sustain different species of butterflies are the major activities of Fancy undertaken here. By regulating humidity and temperature, it is possible to manipulate local population. The role of butterfly garden for the Oscillating conservation of butterflies and is well promoted for the purpose of T.P Narayanankutty environmental education. Butterfly gardens and butterfly houses are becoming henmala is endowed with serenity studded with great scenic beauty. It has popular in many countries such as the rare distinction of having the first planned ecotourism destination in , , Malaysia, UK, India. The areas with luxuriant vegetations with its rich biodiversity lure the etc. The garden established in T about two ha area is located within the heart of every nature lover. Different varieties of butterflies in the area add beauty to this idyllic location. TEPS ( Ecotourism Promotion The unscientific management of natural resources had resulted in the fast Society) project area. The area identified disappearance of our flora and fauna. Due to the wanton destruction of flora and for the garden is situated along a slope, fauna, the population of this beautiful winged insect has started bordered by a stream and is suitable for disappearing with a sign of no return. It is appropriate and just to developing various terrestrial and aquatic create facility to showcase to our children, this treasure trove of themes. The Butterfly safari has been set nature by making their population to thrive. Institution of up in three acres. butterfly gardens helps to maximise butterfly diversity and For guiding visitors to various themes abundance, conserving species that might otherwise become in the park, a nature trail paved with laterite rare or even disappear from this globe. This is by creating host stone has been lay down leading from the plants and habitat and so as to breed different varieties of interpretation centre. The nature trail is butterfly naturally. Artificial environment is created by specific about 500 metre long paths traversing creation of plants, providing humidity etc. various butterfly habitats such as openings, Thenmala Ecotourism Promotion Society (TEPS) in bushes, lianas, hedges, waterfalls, streams, association with the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has ponds, and rock garden. set up a butterfly safari at Thenmala. The area has been The information centre enjoys full- landscaped so as to create different butterfly habitats like open fledged facility where the visitors can be areas, bushes, streams, waterfalls etc. To sustain various stages of briefed on environmental and ecological

May 2008 95 KERALA CALLING FLORICULTURE Fascinating topics. There are sales counter where pamphlets Dove in highlighting various 3D themes present in the garden, souvenirs, curios, Suresh Muthukulam plastic models, charts, books, stickers, posters, paintings, white dove rising with wings half spread, as in the very act of taking animal/plant study and flight – that too inside a flower – is the real ‘Dove Orchid’. Scientifically collection kits Anamed Peristeria elata. Peristeria is a genus belonging to the family Orchidaceae. The genus name is from the Greek word ‘peristerion’ means ‘from dove’. Interesting to note that is the fact, this is the flower that fascinated the great Malayalam poet Kumaran Asan. He wrote etc. are a poem named ‘kapothapushpam;’ means available for dove. sale. Sale Dove orchid, which originates from proceeds from Panama is very much suited for our home such items and gardens too. It grows as a terrestrial in loamy plants produced i n soil. When grown in pots, it needs a mix that the garden will bring good revenue to will drain freely. Coarse-grained sand, charcoal make the park self-supporting. pieces and broken tile pieces are the ingredients A cascade and stream with ponds of the mix. The plant which loves warm growing and bridges have been artificially built conditions prefers 30 to 50 per cent light and also tolerates drought. The here to create an ambiance of natural plant which grows from the pseudobulb at the bottom can have a flower stem eco system and provide sufficient five or six feet high with numerous globes white fragrant flowers. The long humidity for the butterfly population. arching leaf is about 15 cm wide at the middle and tapering at each end. Common Mime, Common Rose, Flower buds usually open from the base of the spike. Even if it lasts for only Crimson Rose, Lime Butterfly, Blue three to four days, the white flowers with a strong perfume scented fragrance Mormon, Southern Birdwing, Glassy and the central column resembling a dove is really a unique visual in every Blue Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, Emigrants garden. Dove orchid, which is also called the ‘Holy Spirit Plant’, is the national and Grass Yellows are some butterflies flower of Panama. that can be easily sustained in the butterfly garden. By establishing butterfly gardens, it is possible to gain insight into the life history, behaviour and role of butterflies in sustaining natural ecosystems. The butterfly safari at Thenmala provides ample opportunity to the visiting student community to learn and understand the butterflies and their role in natural ecosystem. This conveys the message how the disturbance caused to a small creature affect the stability of the delicate ecological web of our own earth. The writer is Director, Ecotourism, Govt of Kerala

May 2008 95 KERALA CALLING FLORICULTURE Fascinating topics. There are sales counter where pamphlets Dove in highlighting various 3D themes present in the garden, souvenirs, curios, Suresh Muthukulam plastic models, charts, books, stickers, posters, paintings, white dove rising with wings half spread, as in the very act of taking animal/plant study and flight – that too inside a flower – is the real ‘Dove Orchid’. Scientifically collection kits Anamed Peristeria elata. Peristeria is a genus belonging to the family Orchidaceae. The genus name is from the Greek word ‘peristerion’ means ‘from dove’. Interesting to note that is the fact, this is the flower that fascinated the great Malayalam poet Kumaran Asan. He wrote etc. are a poem named ‘kapothapushpam;’ means available for dove. sale. Sale Dove orchid, which originates from proceeds from Panama is very much suited for our home such items and gardens too. It grows as a terrestrial in loamy plants produced i n soil. When grown in pots, it needs a mix that the garden will bring good revenue to will drain freely. Coarse-grained sand, charcoal make the park self-supporting. pieces and broken tile pieces are the ingredients A cascade and stream with ponds of the mix. The plant which loves warm growing and bridges have been artificially built conditions prefers 30 to 50 per cent light and also tolerates drought. The here to create an ambiance of natural plant which grows from the pseudobulb at the bottom can have a flower stem eco system and provide sufficient five or six feet high with numerous globes white fragrant flowers. The long humidity for the butterfly population. arching leaf is about 15 cm wide at the middle and tapering at each end. Common Mime, Common Rose, Flower buds usually open from the base of the spike. Even if it lasts for only Crimson Rose, Lime Butterfly, Blue three to four days, the white flowers with a strong perfume scented fragrance Mormon, Southern Birdwing, Glassy and the central column resembling a dove is really a unique visual in every Blue Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, Emigrants garden. Dove orchid, which is also called the ‘Holy Spirit Plant’, is the national and Grass Yellows are some butterflies flower of Panama. that can be easily sustained in the butterfly garden. By establishing butterfly gardens, it is possible to gain insight into the life history, behaviour and role of butterflies in sustaining natural ecosystems. The butterfly safari at Thenmala provides ample opportunity to the visiting student community to learn and understand the butterflies and their role in natural ecosystem. This conveys the message how the disturbance caused to a small creature affect the stability of the delicate ecological web of our own earth. The writer is Director, Ecotourism, Govt of Kerala

May 2008 96 KERALA CALLING BIRDSANCTUARY HORTICULTURE Turkish no passport Dr D. Shine Kumar

elvetty colours on the Wwaist; feathers spread like a fan, reddish comb and wattles; world named this Mexican beauty as Turkeys. It is a preferred delicacy world over. Turkeys are forgotten throughout the year except from the festival occasions like Christmas and Ramzan. It was the Mexicans who domesticated turkeys . Turkeys had nothing to claim a Turkish except for its resemblances to the helmet of the Turkish soldiers. They are most suited to the farmlands of Kerala. Insects, green grass, rotten vegetables, moth eaten food grains are feed for turkeys. Dr T.E. George With its high feed conversion ratio, they grow into maturity in five heera (amaranth) is a popular leaf vegetable in months. They gain a weight of eight to ten kg for the cock and five Kerala. It is available in a variety of colours from to seven kg for hen at the age of six months. Each turkey requires an C bright green to dark red. Apart from growing in area of 200 sq feet and a cage protected with weld mesh. kitchen gardens, it is widely cultivated as a fringe There are two commercial breeds prevalent all over the world – crop, intercrop and pure crop in the state. It fits well broad breasted large white and bronze. But the in many crop rotation schemes because of its short renowned breeds are the noted broiler belswil duration and extremely high production potential. small white, greyish slate, ornamental royal palm There are four species of amaranth used as leaf and the brownish beauty norflock. vegetables, namely Amaranthus tricolor, A. blitum, A. It lays 70-120 eggs per annum. The eggs tristis and A. dubius. The leaves of these species are of shaped Cornish at one end weighs 90 grams. considerable nutritional value, being high in vitamins The incubation period is 28 A and C and dietary minerals, calcium, iron, days. Eggs can be magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper hatched in an and manganese. The fresh tender leaves and stem of incubator. cheera are delicious when cooked and are used mainly as steamed vegetable, stir fry and in soups and stews. The seeds of species like Amaranthus caudatus, A. hypchondriachus and A. cruentus, rich in protein and essential amino acids are used as a cereal grain. Amaranth varieties exhibit high levels of variability with respect to colour, size and shape of leaves, growth pattern and floral characteristics. Kerala Agricultural University has developed four high yielding cheera varieties namely Arun, Mohini, Renusree and Krishnasree suited for cultivation in the state. While variety Arun is having red stem and dark red leaves, Mohini has got green stem and bright green leaves. Krishnasree is characterised by red stem and coppery red leaves and Renusree has got red

May 2008 96 KERALA CALLING BIRDSANCTUARY HORTICULTURE Turkish no passport Dr D. Shine Kumar

elvetty colours on the Wwaist; feathers spread like a fan, reddish comb and wattles; world named this Mexican beauty as Turkeys. It is a preferred delicacy world over. Turkeys are forgotten throughout the year except from the festival occasions like Christmas and Ramzan. It was the Mexicans who domesticated turkeys . Turkeys had nothing to claim a Turkish except for its resemblances to the helmet of the Turkish soldiers. They are most suited to the farmlands of Kerala. Insects, green grass, rotten vegetables, moth eaten food grains are feed for turkeys. Dr T.E. George With its high feed conversion ratio, they grow into maturity in five heera (amaranth) is a popular leaf vegetable in months. They gain a weight of eight to ten kg for the cock and five Kerala. It is available in a variety of colours from to seven kg for hen at the age of six months. Each turkey requires an C bright green to dark red. Apart from growing in area of 200 sq feet and a cage protected with weld mesh. kitchen gardens, it is widely cultivated as a fringe There are two commercial breeds prevalent all over the world – crop, intercrop and pure crop in the state. It fits well broad breasted large white and bronze. But the in many crop rotation schemes because of its short renowned breeds are the noted broiler belswil duration and extremely high production potential. small white, greyish slate, ornamental royal palm There are four species of amaranth used as leaf and the brownish beauty norflock. vegetables, namely Amaranthus tricolor, A. blitum, A. It lays 70-120 eggs per annum. The eggs tristis and A. dubius. The leaves of these species are of shaped Cornish at one end weighs 90 grams. considerable nutritional value, being high in vitamins The incubation period is 28 A and C and dietary minerals, calcium, iron, days. Eggs can be magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper hatched in an and manganese. The fresh tender leaves and stem of incubator. cheera are delicious when cooked and are used mainly as steamed vegetable, stir fry and in soups and stews. The seeds of species like Amaranthus caudatus, A. hypchondriachus and A. cruentus, rich in protein and essential amino acids are used as a cereal grain. Amaranth varieties exhibit high levels of variability with respect to colour, size and shape of leaves, growth pattern and floral characteristics. Kerala Agricultural University has developed four high yielding cheera varieties namely Arun, Mohini, Renusree and Krishnasree suited for cultivation in the state. While variety Arun is having red stem and dark red leaves, Mohini has got green stem and bright green leaves. Krishnasree is characterised by red stem and coppery red leaves and Renusree has got red

May 2008 97 KERALA CALLING

Cheera can be grown for long. After each harvest, top dressing, raking or throughout the year in Kerala. earthing up, irrigation and foliar spray with one percent urea are to be undertaken in order to Well-drained fertile loamy soils stimulate subsequent growth. are ideal for its cultivation. Early bolting or premature flowering is a constraint in amaranth cultivation. As poor soil conditions and closer spacing mainly lead to this phenomenon, it can be controlled to a great extent by providing adequate plant spacing and adopting scientific soil management strategies. No serious pests and diseases are noticed in this crop except leaf webbers which can be controlled by organic Cheera pesticides and leaf spot which can be kept under check by maintaining field hygiene, use of resistant green varieties and avoiding overhead irrigation. The writer is the Professor & Head, Department of Olericulture, , Kerala Agricultural NutrientNutrient University ColourfulColourful stem and green leaves. A local variety Kannara Local with red stem and red leaves and TNAU varieties Co-1, Co- 2 and Co-3 all with green stem and green leaves are also recommended for growing in the state. Cheera can be grown throughout the year in Kerala. Well-drained fertile loamy soils are ideal for its cultivation. Though it can be grown as a direct sown crop, raising it as a transplanted crop is more rewarding. The seeds are first sown in nursery beds and seedlings are transplanted to the main field when they are 20 to 30 days old. The seed rate varies from 1.5 to two kg/ha. and the spacing recommended is 30 x 20 cm. Amaranth responds well to organic manures as well as fertilizers. The fertilizer recommendation for this crop is 100 kg nitrogen, 50 kg phosphorus and 50 kg potash per hectare, apart from 50 tonnes of farmyard manure. Full quantity of farmyard manure, half dose of nitrogen and full doses of phosphorus and potash have to be applied as basal dose. Remaining half dose of nitrogen is to be applied as top dressing at regular intervals. The crop is to be irrigated at three to four days interval during dry periods. Amaranth is a quick growing crop and the first harvest can be done within three to four weeks after planting. Young shoots of 15–25 cm length bearing leaves are cut, washed and tied in bundles. Subsequent harvests can be done at an interval of 7 - 10 days. Cheera leaves are highly perishable in nature and cannot be stored

May 2008 98 KERALA CALLING ETHNIC FOOD y Teatime Joll Indu Narayan MURUKKU OMA PODI Method Two cups of gram flour INGREDIENT Soak the rice for two hours. One table spoon rice flour Two cups rice Drain and pound it to a fine One table spoon omum ¼ cup urad powder. Roast urad dal and A pinch of asafoetida One table spoon sesame seeds powder. Mix both the flour and ¼ tea spoon turmeric powder dal powder. Add oil sesame seeds, A pinch of asafoetida Oil to fry asafoetida, salt and soda-bi-carb. Salt to taste A pinch of sod a-bi-carb Add oil and roll into a soft dough Method Oil to fry through a murukku mould and Sieve and mix gram flour and rice flour. Grind Salt to taste deep fry in oil till crisp. omum seeds and asafoetida. Add it to the flour with turmeric and salt. Make into soft dough with water. Pass through a mould and deep fry in hot oil. Drain and store in an airtight jar. UZHUNNUVADAI

Two cups urad dal Four green chopped chillies A pinch of soda-bi-carb One tea spoon ginger chopped Four chopped onions A few chopped leaves Oil to fry Salt to taste Method Soak the urad dal in water for two hours. Clean and grind to a smooth dry paste. Add MIXTURE chopped ingredients, salt, soda-bi-carbonate and two table spoon of hot water. Mix Two cups gram flour Method thoroughly and make small lemon sized balls. 100 gms flaked rice Mix gram flour with a little water to Flatten and make a hole in the centre of each 100 gms peanut make a soft dough. Add salt to taste and piece. Only a few should be made at a time. mix well. Make sev by pressing portions 100 gms roasted channa dal Deep fry in batches till golden brown. Drain of this dough through a sev mould and and serve with coconut chutney. 100 gms maida deep fry each batch. Drain and serve. Sieve A pinch of asafetida refined flour and make into soft dough Two tea spoon chilli powder with water. Add salt to taste. Roll out A few curry leaves into thin large circles. Cut into small triangles and deep fry in batches. Fry Oil as required peanuts and flaked rice separately. Add to the sev and mix. Add the fried triangles and roasted channadal. In little oil, fry asafetida, chilli powder and curry leaves and pour over the mixture. Toss well, check salt. Store in an airtight tin.

May 2008 99 KERALA CALLING BOOKREVIEW estures GUnveiling

Vijayakumar Menon into two-dimensional pictorial language of lines. The very process and the direction erala, with its great heritage of of showing a gesture/combined gestures is dance performed by women shown in two visual languages and in two Kartists, has contributed a number written languages in the book. Photograph

of talented people. Though the artistic of the dancer showing the gesture and the acumen of the dancers are praised, deep graphic translation of the same in lines ○○○ study about the dance forms are very few. indicating the course of space-time factor Commentaries and explanatory details of the movement of the hands is one, while have come out but the intricate language description of the same in Malayalam and of gestures has not been popularised English along with the original lines from among the art lovers and connoisseurs. the text Hasthalakshanadeepika is the Natanakairali established by Venu G and other. This quadrilingual explanatory Nirmala Panikkar has published a number treatise on with the of books on , Mohiniyattam, emphasis on the text Nangiarkoothu and many other lesser Hasthalakshanadeepika is more than a known art forms of Kerala. Venu G, who conventional academic text. Hand Gestures of did his experiments with notating the Hasthalakshanadeepika in The hand gestures are notated in lines mudras of Kathakali decades ago was Mohiniyattam showing all the ‘sides’ of the hands. The actually introducing another language of frontal view, the vertically upward and communication to study the art form that Nirmala Paniker downward positions, the inward view with was scientific and technical as well as Natanakairali, - 680121 the exterior portion of the palm and the aesthetic. Rs: 750/- profile of the hands are shown with The instructions handed over from scientific precision. This system of language generation to generation through oral of notation is universal in nature because tradition could get eroded, polluted or a person who wants to study of its abstract graphic quality. The use of even vanished in course of time. Preserving Mohiniyattam not only as a dancer but one hand (asamyutha hasthas) and both the identity of each dance form is a also as an enthusiast, the ‘graphic the hands (samyutha hasthas) are the

necessity not only for its own sustenance translation’ of the gestures in a scientific alphabets of gesture, the details of which but also for its evolution and growth. notation language by the author is a are rendered in graphic form so ○○○ When Nirmala Panikkar, the author of the systematic transmission. The use of dance meticulously that the readers get a clear book, using the notation patterns put notations has a history of a few centuries idea of the total movement of hands to forward by Venu G, her life and art partner, and in India, the renowned scholar complete a ‘sentence’ in the body language. to elucidate the intricate form of Vatsyayan has used it in the Indian context The communicative and sensitive Mohiniyattam, she is actually in the modern age. Venu G’s venture to abhinaya (acting/performance) of communicating the details of the dance use the notation language appeared in the Mohiniyattam has been a subject of form in one more language, namely 1960s. discourse on the basis of the subtle graphic language. Nirmala Panikkar’s book ‘Hand differences of styles of various schools. But The art forms of Kerala are very much Gestures of Hasthalakshanadeepika in the basic language of the dance is related to the hand gestures described in Mohiniyattam’ is a pioneer work in the undisputed. Hence this book by Nirmala the text Hasthalakshanadeepika originated study of Mohiniyattam. This dance has Panikkar on Mohiniyattam becomes a in Kerala. The 24 basic mudras mentioned an identity of its own. The three- landmark in the study of this unique dance in this text are used with all their possible dimensional body language and the hand form. permutations and combinations. But for gestures in space and time are ‘translated’ „ The writer is an art historian

May 2008 100 KERALA CALLING FOCUS Photo: N.V Joy, I & PRD

V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, participating in the sports events organised for the members of the Legislative Assembly in connection with the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. K.Radhakrishnan, Speaker, is also seen.

LIFE & LINE P.V. Krishnan

May 2008 100 KERALA CALLING FOCUS Photo: N.V Joy, I & PRD

V.S Achuthanandan, Chief Minister, participating in the sports events organised for the members of the Legislative Assembly in connection with the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kerala Legislative Assembly. K.Radhakrishnan, Speaker, is also seen.

LIFE & LINE P.V. Krishnan

May 2008 82 KERALA CALLING TOURISM

Encouraging two years

E.M. Najeeb roles in moulding during model of public and private sector the last three decades. partnership in Tourism. The Private sector he Tourism Industry in Kerala is Presently the Left Democratic Front has been consulted and interfaced with fortunate that it has always been also follows a pro tourism approach, which for major policymakings and decisions. Treceiving good attention from the is nurturing the industry in an admirable The promotional measures were strong on various Governments that have come to manner. The last two years of the ministry the thrust areas already identified, to derive power. All have recognised the importance has shown that the Government prefers best results. of this industry as an economic driver. We to continue the very supportive policies The continuity in promoting the realised that the nature’s bounty, the for tourism, which has been already in already identified thrust areas like accessibility, the enlightened society, the place. Also the Government conveys that Backwater Tourism, Ayurveda, Eco- culture, heritage and many more, could Tourism industry should be handled Tourism, Medical Value Travel Tourism be favorable components to build up an professionally above all other considerations and so on, is considered admirable. New excellent tourism industry in Kerala. including political. To the satisfaction of products are also identified and given Favourable policies and decisions were the private sector industry the thrust for promotion. taken by the authorities from time to time Government has been interfacing and We should recognise the initiatives by to promote tourism in Kerala, which sharing thoughts with them and always the Government to stretch the tourist became the base for the present day been there with a helping and supportive season by various measures, including tourism in the State. We have to hand. promoting and marketing Kerala in acknowledge the Ministers, officials and Kerala Tourism has put an effort to selected source markets that would ensure private sector players who have played key nurture the unique and widely emulated movements even during low seasons. The

May 2008 83 KERALA CALLING

Monsoon Tourism promotions have pollution, Safety and Security, already had its effect in the markets and environment conservation and such the results are expected to be seen in the primary requirements have to be given near future. priority. A very professional policy approach by For infrastructure development in the Government towards quality tourism we need investments. An enhancement in Tourism is praiseworthy. investment campaign has to be launched Kerala has already made it clear that it will to attract investments. not follow the path of irresponsible The industry needs to be consulted Tourism development for quick gains. with, for inputs in Tourism promotion Kerala believes that our land belongs to fund utilisation. International and the future generations. We are only the domestic Road shows participation should custodians. Kerala Tourism has declared also be decided in consultation with the its commitment to Sustainable Tourism private sector industry. This would ensure model and has stressed its affinity for maximum participation. Qualitative Tourism. Kerala believes not We need to reconstitute and activate in mere numbers of visitors, but in the the Kerala Tourism Advisory Board to quality derived out of the tourism activities. institutionalize the Private-Public sector The initiatives of the Government in partnership in Tourism. Expert conducting an International “Responsible committees should be established to handle Tourism” Conference in Kerala recently was a major step towards establishing a responsible tourism mind set in the industry in Kerala. Kerala Travel Mart the unique Travel We need to Mart conducted every two years to showcase the Tourism products and reconstitute and services in Kerala is taking place in activate the Kerala September 2008. The Mart is conducted in partnership between the private sector Tourism Advisory tourism industry and the Government. KTM is showing encouraging growth by Board to each event. Government is found in all out support to such meaningful efforts institutionalise the that would promote Kerala to the forefront Private-Public as a destination. A few days ago the Tourism Minister sector partnership announced the Government’s new initiatives to bring in travel writers and in Tourism. opinion makers from important source markets to visit Kerala and to set up a committee for Media relations, which is an excellent measure for effective Infrastructure development, Marketing promotion. The Government also has and Promotion, Human Resource been receptive to international products Development and Product Development like the ‘Volvo Ocean Race’ being hosted for Tourism. in Kochi in December. The Private Sector Tourism industry At the same time Tourism industry in is in great appreciation of the initiatives of Kerala suggests that the Government the Government in making Kerala an should look at the re-launching of the experiential destination. The officials in Kerala Tourism brand. The brand the field of Tourism deserve great perception should be strengthened by appreciation in managing Tourism in the qualitative improvement in infrastructure State in an enviable manner. development and facilities build up. The writer is President, Confederation of Tourism Industry in Kerala Roads, Waste Management, Anti-

May 2008